New York Agencies Launch 'Be 911: Teens Take Heart' Training Program
Aiming to teach 5,000 New York City high school students compression-only CPR, the program is taught by the FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit.
The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) on Dec. 9 launched a joint CPR training initiative with the New York City Department of Education and NYC Service to teach 5,000 New York City high school students compressions-only CPR. The educational program was launched at the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety.
Called "Be 911: Teens Take Heart," it is the first program of its kind in New York City, according to FDNY. It is being taught by the FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit and has been funded by more than $100,000 in grants from NYC Service and FDNY Foundation.
"We know this will impact students and make a difference to countless New Yorkers," First Deputy Commissioner Robert Turner said. Paula Gavin, chief service officer for NYC Service, and John Shea, chief executive of the NYC DOE Division of School Facilities, echoed his remarks at the ceremony, where several students took a compressions-only CPR lesson. "We are a life-saving organization, and we cannot do it without your help," Chief of Department James Leonard said, urging the students to take the skills and teach them to friends and family members.
FDNY, the largest U.S. fire department, reported that its personnel responded to nearly 22,000 cardiac incidents in 2013.