Rochester Reporter

Mayor Malik D. Evans and County Executive Adam Bello have announced plans for Rochester and Monroe County to seek the HEARTSafe Community designation from the Citizen CPR Foundation. This initiative, unveiled during American Heart Month, aims to create a community response system for sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.

“Far too many people who experience sudden cardiac arrest die painful deaths while bystanders, co-workers, friends or even family members look on in terrified paralysis because they don’t recognize what’s happening or know what to do,” said Mayor Evans. “The HEARTSafe Community designation gives us a workable road map to improve our collective ability to respond to these emergency situations."

Bello emphasized the importance of preparedness in saving lives. “Countless people and families in our community have lost a loved one to cardiac arrest. The HEARTSafe Community designation signifies that our community is prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies, and is equipped with the knowledge, resources, and training needed to save lives.”

City Council Vice President LaShay D. Harris, who proposed seeking this designation, added: “Building a HEARTSafe Community begins with compassion, awareness, and a shared commitment to the well-being of everyone.”

The HEARTSafe Community designation serves as a "blueprint for survival," detailing strategies for reducing death and disability from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Communities must meet 13 criteria measures which include public awareness campaigns on heart health, training 15 percent of the population annually in CPR, strategically placing automated external defibrillators (AED), and establishing data collection procedures.

Communities interested in earning this designation must notify the Citizen CPR Foundation of their intent and work through an established network of resources. A lead agency will assemble stakeholders such as medical and emergency-response agencies to fulfill these criteria measures.

Once improvements across all criteria are demonstrated, communities can apply for the HEARTSafe Community title.

For more information about this initiative, visit www.CityofRochester.Gov/Heartsafe/.