Fire Department launches campaign to become HEARTSafe Community, provide CPR and AED training

• Detroit joins PulsePoint AED, new app to locate defibrillators across the city
• Citizens can sign up for and request CPR training and learn how to use AEDs
• CPR and AED use can double cardiac arrest survival rate

The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) is launching a campaign to make Detroit a “HEARTSafe Community” and help save lives across the city by ensuring Detroiters have access to CPR training and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) use training. Becoming a HEARTSafe Community is a distinction that highlights a city’s commitment to heart safety. This campaign will provide our residents resources and education opportunities throughout the City of Detroit.

To reach this goal of becoming heart safe, DFD is implementing a new Community AED Program, which includes placing AEDs in public spaces around the City of Detroit and providing invaluable training to help save lives of those in cardiac arrest.  Funded by the city, DFD is in the process of distributing these AEDs in local civic, educational, and religious facilities. These AEDs are Lifepak CR2 Defibrillators and will be distributed based on community need. DFD is currently seeking grants to purchase additional AEDs.  

"The Detroit Fire Department is extremely excited to launch the Community AED Program. The department strongly encourages schools, organizations, and communities to participate in our AED program,” said Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms. “DFD has been providing community CPR and AED training for decades and is excited to take this effort up a notch. By getting more AEDs around the city and helping residents learn where they’re placed so they’re ready when an emergency strikes, we will save lives. Our push to become a HEARTSafe Community is another example of DFD's mission to protect the community we serve."

This program also includes Detroit becoming a participating city in the PulsePoint AED app, a simple-to-use app that helps cities build a registry of the publicly available AEDs. This app will help Detroiters learn where the nearest AED is located so they are ready if and/or when cardiac emergency strikes. DFD is asking for the public’s help in registering already existing AEDs in their buildings via the PulsePoint AED app. These devices will then be confirmed by DFD and listed as having been verified on the app.

This app will be a great resource to Detroit’s 911 center so rescuers can be directed to the device in an emergency. The AEDs are also monitored by a secure wireless network (Lifenet/Lifelink), so DFD can see when they will need new batteries and supplies as well as transmit emergency information to responders.

Additionally, DFD, in partnership with the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association, is working to get the word out about CPR and AED training opportunities available, by working to populate their website with these events scheduled around town. DFD is also providing CPR training, to resident groups that request it. Residents can submit a request for all training courses here: https://calendly.com/dfdacademy or call (313) 596-2959. 

During a sudden cardiac arrest, quick community response is essential to survival. Chest compressions and AED use greatly improve your chances of surviving a heart attack. AEDs clearly save lives and improved access is essential. The National Institute of Health notes that when a bystander utilizes an AED on a person in cardiac arrest, their likelihood of survival doubles. Data shows that when an AED is used on a person experiencing cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, they have up to 50 percent chance of survival.