Although Hannah Salerno was well-trained in emergency medical services, she didn’t expect to use those critical skills at Chartiers Valley Middle School’s spring musical last month.
Salerno, 22, of Scott was working as a volunteer stage manager at the middle school’s production of “The Addams Family” on April 13 when she was alerted about a boy, Nico Thuransky, behind the set who was choking.
“He was turning purple and was trying to get a bottle cap out of his throat,” Salerno said. “I did the Heimlich and, with six or seven thrusts, got the bottle cap out.”
The Heimlich maneuver is performed by wrapping your arms around a choking person from behind and using sharp inward and upward abdominal thrusts to dislodge the item that is clogging their airway.
For Salerno, the act was second nature. She’s a fourth-generation volunteer firefighter at Glendale Hose Company in Scott. Her father, Frank Salerno Jr., is the department’s chief; her mother, Chris, is also a member. Hannah became a volunteer firefighter when she was 14.
She’s employed as a paraprofessional at Chartiers Valley Primary School and has volunteered at the middle school’s musical for the past three years.
While in high school, Salerno participated in the public safety technology program at Parkway West.
“It’s just second nature for me to help out,” she said. “You never really think you’ll have to need it until it happens.”
“The Addams Family” was Nico’s first experience in a school musical, said Adina Thuransky, Nico’s mother.
Nico, 13, was a member of the ensemble.
After the incident, his father, Mike, sent an email to Frank Salerno expressing his gratitude to Hannah. Mike’s brother recently retired as a deputy chief of the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department.
“I am well aware of all of the training that firefighters go through, as well as the commitment that is required,” Mike wrote. “Your daughter, your firefighter, did a commendable job, without hesitation, which without a doubt, resulted in saving the life of my son. I hope in some way she will be recognized for acting so professionally in this emergency.
“It is great to see that there is this type of skill set in our local community. More people should be made aware of the amazing things that firefighters and EMS do on a daily basis in our community.”
Hannah Salerno said the incident was the first time she has ever had to use the Heimlich in an emergency situation, and she admitted she was nervous.
After her heroics, the show went on, and none of the students missed a beat.
“There are no words for how grateful we are,” Adina Thuransky said. “She’s absolutely an angel. Somebody was watching over him that night. I’m very grateful to Hannah.”
Wrote Mike: “It was such a pleasure meeting her after the show. She was way more calm, cool and collected than I was. She is a hero to us.”
Salerno was recognized for her acts Tuesday, May 14 during a Scott commissioners meeting.
“I was very surprised,” she said. “I didn’t expect anything. It’s my job, so I didn’t expect to get anything out of it.”
