Windham Named HeartSafe Community

The town of Windham, New Hampshire was recognized as a HeartSafe Community on June 17. This life-saving initiative supports the American Heart Association’s goal of strengthening the Chain of Survival, four critical steps that can improve the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. The four steps include early access to emergency care, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advanced life support.

In a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating normally and blood stops flowing throughout the body. Only about 46 percent of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. CPR and the use of an AED can save a life. A HeartSafe Community is one that has taken steps to develop and implement lifesaving networks that focus on coordinating local resources to prevent sudden cardiac arrest from becoming sudden cardiac death.

Windham became a HeartSafe Community by implementing CPR trainings in their town, providing multiple sites with AEDs, and securing a written CPR/AED Emergency Response Plan. The town placed 30 AEDs in various community locations, including all of the public schools. By becoming a HeartSafe Community, Windham residents are now prepared to face an emergency and initiate the chain of survival before professional help arrives.

Firefighter Dan Doherty, from the Windham Fire Department, spearheaded the initiative. Windham now joins over 30 other HeartSafe Communities in New Hampshire. To learn more about how you can be prepared for a cardiac emergency, please visit heart.org/CPR.