May 6, 2008–RIDGEFIELD, CT–Ridgefield on Monday became the 20th town in the state of Connecticut to receive a HEARTSafe Community award. The award came from the state Department of Public Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, and the American Heart Association. It was presented to Fire Chief Heather Burford by Gary St. Amand, the state health department’s Health Program Associate in the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program.
“Ridgefield has demonstrated its commitment toward ensuring that its residents and visitors receive the early lifesaving response proven to increase the chance of survival for heart attack (sudden cardiac arrest) victims,” St. Amand said. “This commitment is further strengthened by Ridgefield's plans to continue providing community CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training programs and working to expand the availability of AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in public locations.”
Ridgefield distributed some 24 defibrillators for trained community members to use, including the first responders who provide early advanced care for heart attacks. Burford also said thanks should go to the numerous organizations in Ridgefield that donated money to buy defibrillators for town use.
-Susan Tuz, News Times