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ASU recognized for being a 'HEART Safe' program


October 31, 2012

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) this week recognized Arizona State University as one of the first participants in its HEART Safe program. 

HEART Safe is part of the ADHS Save Hearts in Arizona Registry and Education (SHARE) program, administered by the Bureau of EMS and Trauma Systems.

To qualify for the two-year designation, businesses or community groups must meet the following criteria:

• possess a written plan for cardiac arrest response

• offer Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training and have trained at least 50 percent of staff

• have an on-site AED that is registered with the ADHS

“The ASU AED program is one of the oldest and the largest university AED program in the United States,” said Jim Gibbs, ASU Fire Marshall.

Gibbs, along with members from ASU’s Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) department attended the ADHS ceremony on Monday, Oct. 29 in downtown Phoenix.

“How to respond swiftly and calmly during a cardiac emergency is important for all ASU community members to know,” said Leon Igras, EH&S director. “We are committed to promoting a heart-safe environment across all four ASU campuses in hopes that we can save lives if an emergency occurs.”

ASU community members have several options to obtain AED/CPR training on and off campus:

• ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

• ASU Health Services

• ASU Environmental Health & Safety

• Emergency University

• Local Fire Departments

• Sun Devil Fitness Complexes on all four ASU campuses

Learn more about all AED/CPR training programs by contacting the ASU Fire Marshal, Jim Gibbs, or AED program manager, Alex Gutierrez at 480.965.1823, or e-mail ASUFire@asu.edu.

For more information, or to register AED(s) and apply for ADHS HEART Safe Recognition, visit: http://azdhs.gov/azshare.