The designation comes from a national preparedness program that measures 13 criteria — each demonstrating a community’s commitment to improving sudden cardiac arrest outcomes and saving lives. Those requirements include establishing an organization to guide local efforts, training 15% of the community in hands-only CPR annually, developing strategies to improve public awareness and bystander intervention, and placing AEDs.

 

HeartSafe is sponsored by the Holland Fire Department, Holland Hospital, American Medical Response, Ottawa County Department of Public Health, the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority, Evergreen Commons, and Holland Rotary Charities. 

Left to Right:  Rotarians John Shea, Andrew Bissonnette, and Kent Fry along with Paramedic Steve Stegman.