The City of Carrollton is making a concerted effort to increase its capacity to save lives in the event of sudden cardiac arrests by leveraging the powers of community involvement and advanced technology. In partnership with Avive Solutions, Inc., Carrollton has launched the innovative 4 Minute City™ Program, which outfits local citizen volunteers with Avive Connect AEDs™ and CPR training, aimed at providing a rapid response to cardiac emergencies.
A report from the City of Carrollton's official website states that each year, more than 100 residents succumb to cardiac arrest, making the initiative not just an advancement in public health response but a deeply personal community cause. Volunteers trained under Carrollton’s Cardiac Arrest Rapid Engagement (CARE) Team will be key players in the program, learning life-saving skills and becoming the front line in increasing the odds of survival for their neighbors.
To mobilize citizens, the city is actively searching for residents willing to join the CARE Team. An announcement from Carrollton officials notes that volunteers must be at least 18 years old, reside within Carrollton, and be able to complete a background check in addition to the necessary training sessions.
“During a cardiac event, every second is critical,” Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson said in a statement released by the City of Carrollton. The Avive Connect AED™ system incorporates Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS, and Bluetooth technologies to alert volunteers to a nearby cardiac arrest event. They can then respond swiftly, potentially within the crucial four-minute window for effective intervention.
