The safety and security of customers and employees is a top priority for the Houston Airport System. 

Customs Border Protection (CBP) Officer Michael Roman recently attended to a life-threatening situation that could have quickly turned for the worst had he not been alert and recognized the signs of a passenger needing immediate medical help.

Roman noticed a male passenger sitting in the passport control area at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) who appeared to show signs of illness. As Roman walked over to speak with the passenger, the passenger collapsed to the floor. Roman believed the passenger was having a heart attack and immediately proceeded to grab an automated external defibrillator (AED). An AED is a lightweight, portable device that diagnoses irregular heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heart beat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.

Roman applied the AED defibrillator pad on the passenger and began CPR. Shortly after, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing again.

Houston Fire Department firefighter Jose “Alex” Trujillo who responded to the scene along with firefighter paramedic Julie Childers said, “Officer Roman was quick to respond and not afraid to act. He performed his duty in a professional way that resulted in the passenger leaving the airport alive in the care of MS92, M102 and A64 and Engine 63. Not only did Officer Roman save a life, but he had gained much respect and appreciation from the MS 92 unit from fire station #92, which responds to all the medical emergencies at IAH.”

The Houston Airport System has several AED devices located throughout the airports, including 135 at Bush Intercontinental Airport, 15 at William P. Hobby (HOU) and two at Ellington (EFD).