Air Liquide China employees support 2017 Shanghai International Marathon as first responder volunteers

SHANGHAI, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — November 12, the day of the 2017 Shanghai International Marathon – was not only a day of inspiring and personally rewarding competition among marathon runners, but also a very busy day for the event volunteers. These included 22 Air Liquide China employees who served as "first responders" for this popular sports event.

Getting up before dawn, outfitted with first-aid equipment and supplies, the Air Liquide China volunteers arrived at designated locations along the marathon course long before the race started. By the time the starting gun sounded, they were well prepared to supply emergency support for runners throughout the eight-hour-long event.

Launched in 1996, the Shanghai International Marathon is now a popular annual event in Shanghai, China during late Fall. With more and more amateurs challenging themselves to the 42.195 kilometer race, there is a growing risk of serious medical incidents such as sudden cardiac arrest. In such cases, immediate first aid delivered by a certified "first responder" before the ambulance arrives can be vital and may save a runner's life.

Marcelo Fioranelli, Vice President of Air Liquide Greater China, said: "We're proud of our employees who devoted their time and efforts to such a meaningful volunteer initiative. In line with our group's Corporate Sustainability Program, Air Liquide China will continue encouraging our employees to actively involve themselves in activities that contribute to the safety and well-being of the local communities."

For two consecutive years, Air Liquide China organized trainings by external specialists for nearly 40 volunteers to help them qualify as first responders. To date, these trained employees have volunteered as first responders for more than 20 sports events including the marathon. All told, the volunteers have contributed more than 490 hours of volunteer service.

Responsibility is at the core of Air Liquide culture. Under its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) umbrella program called "Air Liquide Care", and in addition to "First Responder Program", Air Liquide China promotes other initiatives including the annual "Green Action" tree-planting event, the recycled computer donation program "Air Liquide Computer Classroom," and "Road Safety Lectures" for children.

Air Liquide

The world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 80 countries with approximately 65,000 employees and serves more than 3 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902.
Air Liquide's ambition is to lead its industry, deliver long term performance and contribute to sustainability. The company's customer-centric transformation strategy aims at profitable growth over the long term. It relies on operational excellence, selective investments, open innovation and a network organization implemented by the Group worldwide. Through the commitment and inventiveness of its people, Air Liquide leverages energy and environment transition, changes in healthcare and digitization, and delivers greater value to all its stakeholders.
Air Liquide's revenue amounted to EUR 18.1 billion in 2016 and its solutions that protect life and the environment represented more than 40% of sales. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.

Air Liquide in China
operates nearly 90 plants and employs more than 4,000 employees today. With a strong presence in the key coastal industrial areas, Air Liquide China is now expanding into the center, south and west. Its main business activities include industrial and medical gas operations, Engineering & Construction (designing, manufacturing and installing air separation units/hydrogen facilities), as well as innovation activities.

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SOURCE Air Liquide China