Ray Heiser, known as "Biggy" to the thousands of people he trained in CPR and First Aid, guided down the Lehigh River, or over a 43-year period helped prevent worksite accidents, was presented with the William Werkheiser Community Service Award for 2012 by Teamsters Local 773.

On April 28, 2012, as the Penn Forest Township resident was about to start his 44th year as a maintenance mechanic at Nestlé-Purina Pet Care, formerly Alpo Pet Foods, Heiser was surprised to receive the award. "I didn't have a clue what was going on," he said.Heiser, a Teamster shop steward for much of his career, has been a leader in his company's support of United Way, the American Red Cross, and plant safety. The award states, "Over Ray's 43-year career, he has taught hundreds of his co-workers emergency training and consistently shares his high standards with his pupils, emphasizing the importance of a human life. On one occasion, Ray even saved his own life thanks to his training and strong instincts."Nine years ago, Heiser received 43 radiation treatments on his neck. Unbeknownst to him, the radiation had weakened his blood vessels. As he rose from a chair, his carotid artery ruptured inside his neck, sending blood out from his mouth."The first thing I did, it's what I teach in First Aid, is your best friend is ice," Heiser said. "It constricts the blood vessels. If I hadn't done that, I would have died."He called 911, but because the blood was coming from his mouth, he was unable to speak clearly. "They couldn't understand a word I was saying," he said. "But they could trace where I was calling from and they sent someone to check." Though he lost a lot of blood, Heiser survived. He credits his Fist Aid training.Because of his connection to river guiding and CPR/First Aid, Heiser has trained many of the river guides on the Lehigh River. He has also taught many scout troops and individuals over the past 35 years."Often I'm sitting in a restaurant and someone comes over, introduces themselves and says, 'You probably don't remember me, but 20 years ago you taught me CPR. I've used it several times, and I use First Aid every year. It makes me feel so good to know that I'm able to pay it forward, to help someone who may need help down the road.'""The first two things that I teach are: I don't want any heroes, and what I teach you in this class is what I want you to use," Heiser said. "I'm proud to say that in my years as an instructor not one of my pupils has ever been questioned on anything they've done, much less brought into court."He advises his classes to keep things simple, and not to follow the dramatic procedures shown on television. "Don't listen to me and then go home and turn on a medical show and start cutting holes in people," he tells his classes. "I teach the theory of keeping it simple. It's for the everyday Joe. The guy who runs into everyday nicks and scrapes."At his workplace, Heiser has certified 30 percent of the employees in CPR or First Aid. He helped organize the Plant Emergency Organization, a team within the plant that is trained to respond to emergencies. When he started the program, the plant operated with 75 people. Now, the plant employs 400.Heiser has three children, a daughter Kristin, and sons, Ian and Ryan. When Ryan was four years old, Heiser used his CPR to save Ryan's life when he was struck by a delivery cart at a supermarket and stopped breathing. Heiser put his son on a checkout counter and began CPR. His son's breathing returned.Because of his employment at Nestlé-Purina, Heiser has been helping Carbon County Friends of Animals and Country Junction's rescue for cats. He buys cat food and litter at a discount and delivers it to these organizations.The William Werkheiser Community Service Award is presented every year to a person, persons, or agency demonstrating strong community service leadership. United Way created the William Werkheiser Memorial Fund to be used to encourage union membership in community services.