Newark Students Honored For CPR Training

NEWARK, CA - Michel Cabrera and Erica Jimenez of Newark Jr. High School were honored, along with three students from other towns, for training community members in the use of CPR utilizing Alameda County EMS’ CPR 7 Program. 

“We appreciate the opportunity to teach 7th graders CPR in conjunction with our continued partnership with the schools. CPR saves lives. We commend our young people for stepping up and learning, as well as subsequently teaching, this important skill. When CPR is performed prior to the arrival of first responders and Paramedics, victims of sudden cardiac arrest have a better chance of survival with good neurological function,” said Travis Kusman, Director, Alameda County EMS.

The 7th grade students led their peers in training the highest number of community members. Michel Cabrera trained 87 community members, including her Dad’s soccer team as well other league soccer players. Erica Jimenez trained 51 community members by going to her Mom’s workplace and training the employees.

Alameda County Board of Supervisor - District 2, Richard Valle, praised the program by saying, “I applaud the CPR 7 program and our students who are learning this crucial life-saving technique to assist people in the time of their greatest need. These youth are our future and we appreciate our lives being in their hands.”

Since 2010, Alameda County EMS has partnered with all 18 Alameda County School Districts providing the CPR 7 program to 7th graders. 

The CPR 7 program has trained over 150,000 community members, including the majority of 7th graders enrolled in public schools. This represents approximately 10% of the Alameda County population.

The Alameda County CPR 7 program received national attention in an article published in the June issue of the Journal of Emergency Medicine.