The IAFC Heart Safe Community Guide provides fire-based EMS leaders with a practical framework for strengthening their community’s response to sudden cardiac arrest and improving patient survival. The guide outlines evidence-based strategies that bring together citizens, 911 centers, first responders, EMS agencies and hospitals to create a coordinated system of cardiac emergency care.
Fire and EMS agencies can use the guide to evaluate and improve key areas such as 911 and emergency medical dispatch, AED access and registries, citizen alerting, community CPR training, high-performance team-based resuscitation, advanced life support, and data collection and quality improvement.
The guide also includes the Heart Safe Community scoring matrix and implementation strategies to help departments identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen community partnerships and build a more prepared, heart-safe community.