City of Rochester and Monroe County Leaders Announce HEARTSafe Rochester Initiative Alongside First Responders

During “First Responders Day” at today’s Rochester Red Wings home game, City and County leaders announced the launch of the HEARTSafe Rochester initiative, a countywide effort to save lives by improving bystanders’ response to sudden cardiac arrest.  

The announcement included the debut of a new public service announcement featuring Mayor Malik D. Evans and Monroe County Executive Adam J. Bello, as well as hands-on CPR trainings from local first responders from the Rochester Fire Department, AMR ambulance corps, and the Rochester Police Department. Throughout the stadium, the American Heart Association and University of Rochester spoke with hundreds of residents about the need be educated on the risks of sudden cardiac arrest. 

The HEARTSafe designation, developed by the American Heart Association, is awarded to communities that meet specific benchmarks in preparing residents to respond to cardiac emergencies. To achieve it, Rochester and Monroe County must train at least 15 percent of the population, about 113,000 people, in CPR and AED use, while also strengthening 911 dispatcher training and expanding the placement of defibrillators in public spaces.  

“This is more than a City initiative. More than a County initiative. This is a mission for our entire community,” said Mayor Evans. “We will work block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, school by school, faith community by faith community to reach those 113,000 people. Everyone has the power to save a life. I believe Rochester can do big things. But we have got to do it together.” 

“Improving the public’s understanding of cardiac emergencies and how to respond to them is the first step in saving lives,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “What happens during the first few minutes of any emergency can make a life-or-death difference. HEARTSafe Rochester’s wholistic approach will encourage our residents to get CPR and AED training, as well as provide additional training to our 911 dispatchers, so that we can better respond to emergencies and save more lives.”  

The University of Rochester, American Heart Association, AMR, and Rochester Broadway Theater League are among the many community stakeholders involved in the project. The effort will roll out in partnership with schools, businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations. A public awareness campaign, combined with hands-on training opportunities, will ensure Rochester and Monroe County reach the HEARTSafe goal.