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Boston EMS, AHA Team Up to Teach CPR to WCVB-TV Channel 5 Staff

8/5/2009 - Released by Boston Emergency Medical Services
For more information contact Jennifer Mehigan



Boston EMS, AHA Team Up to Teach CPR to WCVB-TV Channel 5 Staff

In two sessions tomorrow, Boston EMS and the American Heart Association (AHA) of Massachusetts will train CPR to staff members at local television station WCVB-TV Channel 5. Learning CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) are essential lifesaving skills. WCVB staff will be trained with CPR Anytime, a kit developed by the AHA and Laerdal Medical that comes complete with a mini-manikin, a manual and DVD that teaches CPR in 30 minutes.

“Every day, WCVB informs thousands of people on the latest information. What better way to showcase the importance of learning CPR then having those same people trained and ready,” Boston EMS Chief Rich Serino said. “Anyone can learn CPR and even a basic knowledge of these skills can make a critical difference in someone’s life. Everyone should take the time to learn CPR and how to use an AED.”

The Boston market’s top rated television station, WCVB has been honored recently as “National Television Station of the Year” by the Gabriel Awards. Also in 2009, WCVB has also been nationally recognized with three Headliner Awards and two Gracie Awards.

“CPR is a life-saving skill that is important for everyone to know,” said WCVB News Director Andrew Vrees. We’re proud of our partnership with the American Heart Association and Boston EMS on their important initiatives in and around Boston,” Vrees added.

Boston EMS and the AHA work in an integrated fashion to improve treatments for patients with stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest in a long term partnership and are proud of the work done to improve outcomes. Knowing CPR, First Aid and how to use an AED is essential when someone has had a serious accident, is choking, or has a heart attack or a stroke, among other situations. In Boston, heart disease and stroke are among the top five causes of death.

According to the AHA:

•Almost 80 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by a family member;

•Only 6.4 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because the vast majority of those witnessing the arrest are people who do not know how to perform CPR

To increase the City’s emergency preparedness, Boston EMS started a CPR Anytime program in the Boston Public Schools. Last year, Boston EMS taught more than 4,300 Boston public high school students CPR.

Boston EMS also hosts CPR courses for community groups and businesses. For more information on local CPR courses, check out:

•Boston EMS www.cityofboston.gov/ems

•American Heart Association www.americanheart.org

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