DO YOU LIVE IN A HEARTSAFE COMMUNITY?

The answer is "yes" if you live in one of the following western Massachusetts communities:
AGAWAM, BECKET, BELCHERTOWN, BERNARDSTON, CHICOPEE, DALTON, DEERFIELD, EAST LONGMEADOW,FLORIDA,GREAT BARRINGTON, GREENFIELD, LEE, LENOX, LUDLOW, NEW MARLBOROUGH, NORTH ADAMS, NORTHFIELD, PITTSFIELD, SHELBURNE, SOUTHWICK, SPRINGFIELD, WEST SPRINGFIELD, WESTFIELD, WILBRAHAM or WILLIAMSTOWN

Also specialized communities:
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SIX FLAGS AMUSEMENT PARK

• If someone in your community suffers a sudden cardiac arrest tomorrow, how likely is he or she to survive due to rapid access to life-saving treatment?
• Now that all cities and towns in Massachusetts have enhanced 9-1-1, how many residents and public safety officials in your community can recognize the symptoms of cardiac arrest and know how to get help “on the way, right away”?
• Who knows CPR in your community and is prepared to administer it when necessary?
• Where are automated external defibrillators (AEDs) located, and who has been trained to use them appropriately?

The answers to these questions could determine whether or not your community qualifies as a Massachusetts HeartSafe Community.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, through its Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and the American Heart Association, aim to help the Commonwealth’s cities and towns improve the chances that anyone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest will have the best possible chance for survival. Through the HeartSafe Community program, Massachusetts communities can strengthen what the American Heart Association has called the “chain of survival,” which has four critical steps:

1. Early access to emergency care

• Bystanders recognize the symptoms of cardiac arrest and call 9-1-1 immediately.
• EMS dispatchers are equipped with instructions for the caller and can get an Advanced Life Support response vehicle to the scene quickly.

2. Early CPR

• CPR, when properly administered, buys precious minutes until a defibrillator is available.
• Public knowledge and awareness must be increased so that those trained in CPR will actually use it when it is needed.

3. Early defibrillation

• Defibrillation is the delivery of electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
• Early defibrillation is considered to be the most critical link in the chain of survival.
• New AEDs are light-weight, sturdy, and easy to use by anyone who has been trained.
• AEDs should only be used by individuals certified by defibrillation training programs that have medical oversight and are coordinated with EMS.

4. Early advanced care

• Advanced care is delivered by an Advanced Life Support response vehicle staffed by paramedics.
• Medications and oxygen therapy delivered by paramedics can be critical to the survival of cardiac arrest victims.

Download the Word document with details on becoming a Heartsafe Community and a form to apply for designation of Heartsafe Community for your community. For designated HeartSafe Communities there are items you can purchase to promote the designation.

Contact WMEMS:

168 Industrial Drive
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-6065
fax (413) 586-0947
E-mail: wmems@wmems.org

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WMEMS is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that accepts tax deductible donations.

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