By Ashley Tusan Joyner, as published in the Belleville News-Democrat.

The American National Red Cross honored a Fairview Heights man Monday by presenting him with a lifesaving award signed by President George W. Bush.

Jim Cusic, a YMCA employee, Red Cross volunteer and former military paramedic, received the Lifesaving Award of Merit from the American National Red Cross.

It was presented to him by the St. Louis Area Chapter of the Red Cross.

The award recognizes Cusic for using CPR and an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to rescue East Belleville YMCA visitor Jim Corsi, who had collapsed after a workout in February 2006.

"This award is very special to me," Cusic said. "Even though I have received a certificate of merit before, this one has special meaning because my training came directly from the Red Cross."

Cusic had served as a CPR instructor for almost 30 years without using the emergency technique before he revived Corsi in 2006.

"I was surprised when they called me and told me I was going to receive this," Cusic said. "In one aspect, it was a team effort and I got singled out for the honor."

Corsi would not have survived the incident without the use of the AED by Cusic and a team of four other YMCA staff and visitors, according to doctors.

"Not all lifesaving acts are eligible for this award," said Red Cross spokesman Stephen Hall. "With this one, the skills that are used to save a life are linked directly to training."

Cusic was previously honored by the Red Cross with a certificate of merit for his actions as a first responder at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. He was also the recipient of an American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter Lifesaver Award in August of last year.

"Jim Cusic is an outstanding example of what it means to be a hero," said Joseph C. White, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "Jim was able to save someone's life because he was trained and ready before the crisis ever happened. March is National Red Cross Month and we encourage the public to follow Jim's example and seek lifesaving training."