Tempe named HEARTSafe Community for work to help people survive cardiac arrests

TEMPE, Ariz – The City of Tempe is the newest HEARTSafe Community in Arizona. Widespread CPR instruction and the availability of publicly accessible heart defibrillators helped Tempe achieve this status.  

According to the American Heart Association, when someone’s heart suddenly stops, they are less likely to survive unless immediate interventions take place, such as CPR and defibrillation. HEARTSafe is a public health initiative intended to help more people survive after sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by encouraging communities to provide more training and tools for people.  

There are more than 650 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Tempe. AEDs are the devices used to deliver a therapeutic electric shock to the heart in the event of cardiac arrest.  

Beyond having life-saving devices in many public places, each year, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department partners with Tempe Union High School District (TUHSD) and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital to provide heart safety training to more than 2,000 students each year. Firefighters and health care professionals visit every health classroom to teach high school students how to recognize an emergency, how to preform CPR, and how to use AEDs.  

“Tempe Fire Medical Rescue wants to make the city as safe as possible for everyone,” Chief Greg Ruiz said. “Through our partnerships with Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, Tempe Union High School District, Arizona State University and many others we can provide information to more people. We are pleased with this designation.”

The first HEARTSafe program began in Massachusetts in 2002.  More than 600 HEARTSafe communities now exist, providing a safety net for more than 8 million residents. There are 15 Arizona HEARTSafe cities. Tempe joins the Maricopa County cities of Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise in the designation.

Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department offers group classes for CPR and First Aid. Get a list of classes.  

Tempe FMRD also offers a variety of services from child car seat installation to free smoke detectors. Visit www.tempe.gov/fire for information and safety tips.  In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1.