The training from the non-profit Griffith Blue Heart goes above and beyond what officers receive when they join the force.
We learned that immediately after Hamlin’s collapse, trainers rushed to the field and administered two necessary interventions – CPR and defibrillation — to save his life.
Usually, when someone experiences cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting, they don’t survive. In fact, there is less than a 10% chance of survival. Most cases are fatal because the victim doesn’t receive prompt and efficient CPR and defibrillation, as Hamlin did.
Health First Foundation Northern Arizona is helping increase survival rates in our community by providing grant funding to equip and train Flagstaff police officers in high-performance resuscitation. The training from the non-profit Griffith Blue Heart goes above and beyond what officers receive when they join the force.
Since police typically arrive at priority 911 calls before emergency medical professionals, it makes good sense for them to have the skills to respond immediately. Survival increases when law enforcement officers know how to respond effectively in cardiac, bleeding, drowning, overdose and other urgent medical situations.
“Seconds count; seconds matter,” said Lt. Charles Hernandez II of the Flagstaff Police Department. “This training will significantly impact our capabilities and response to emergency situations. It will enable us to save lives.”
And it already has. During two incidents – one involving a 1-year-old child who stopped breathing and another involving a man who collapsed while enjoying time with friends – Flagstaff police officers responded and started performing CPR. In each case, emergency medical technicians and physicians noted that quick action from the police officers was vital to the victim’s survival.
Health First Foundation funds non-profit health initiatives through its annual Northern Arizona Community Health Grant program. Please consider giving to help support health and well-being in our region. Visit healthfirstforall.org to donate and learn more. FBN
By Nancy Wiechec
Nancy is Health First Foundation’s community engagement and communications manager. Reach her at nwiechec@healthfirstforall.org.
Courtesy Photo: Tim Freund, a SWAT medic and director of training for Griffith Blue Heart, instructs Flagstaff police officers on increasing their cardio-cerebral resuscitation performance.