As February ends, we’d like to take a moment to recognize American Heart Month, a time when the nation spotlights cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of deaths in America. Is your home or workplace prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency?
Approximately 90% of the 350,000 people who experience a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year will not survive. Additionally, more than 23,000 children suffer cardiac arrest annually, with nearly 40% happening in conjunction with sports related activities. Children as young as nine can learn CPR and since nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests that do not happen in a hospital occur in the home, it is critical that all families know how to perform CPR. Become a hero-in-waiting with the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform CPR and become a vital link in the chain of survival, making our communities healthier and safer for everyone.
The Enfield Fire District is pleased to announce American Heart Association (AHA) training is now available. From Heartsaver courses to Basic Life Support, we’ve got you covered. Training is perfect for all individuals — first responders, businesses, schools, day cares and coaches, to name a few. Training will be provided by Enfield Fire District Firefighter Lafaiete “LJ” Sousa. Firefighter Sousa comes to the district with over 18 years of experience in Emergecy Medical Services (EMS), including experience in a high volume/high acuity EMS system (Hartford). He holds state certification as an EMS Instructor (EMS-I) and AHA Instructor with disciplines in Heartsaver and Basic Life Support.
Please reach out to the Enfield Fire District, located at 200 Phoenix Ave., Enfield, Connecticut, with any questions related to training, price and requirements for training. Call 860-745-1878 or email Firefighter Sousa at LSousa@enfieldfire.org.
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