Captain James Ellis of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, assisted by April West, presented a program on improving survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest through CPR education, increased access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and community involvement. Cristy Jorgensen, director of the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority, was in attendance and provided additional information about local emergency preparedness efforts.
Ellis explained that immediate action by bystanders is critical when someone suffers cardiac arrest. Only four in 10 cardiac arrest victims receive CPR before emergency responders arrive. For every minute without CPR, the chance of survival decreases by approximately 10%. According to the American Heart Association, immediate bystander CPR can double or triple a person's chances of survival, while early use of an AED can further improve the outcome.
Ellis emphasized three objectives for building heart-safe communities: engaging residents to recognize cardiac emergencies, empowering individuals to perform hands-only CPR and use AEDs, and expanding public access to these lifesaving devices.
He discussed a Sacramento-area Rotary initiative that raised $35,000 to install AEDs in public parks from Marysville to Elk Grove. Ellis stressed that AEDs should be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, noting that devices located inside locked buildings may be unavailable when emergencies occur.
The presentation also addressed California's NEVAEH Youth Sports Safety Act, which establishes new cardiac emergency preparedness requirements for youth sports programs beginning in 2027, with additional AED accessibility requirements taking effect in 2028. West also discussed plans to introduce the PulsePoint Respond app locally, which can help users locate registered AEDs.
Ellis shared three examples illustrating the importance of immediate access to an AED. His cousin survived a cardiac emergency while rafting on the American River because an AED was available. In another incident, a band member collapsed during a performance, prompting someone in the audience to run across the street to a supermarket to retrieve an AED. The band member made a full recovery. Ellis also recalled the tragic death of a well-known softball player at Lions Park in Placerville, where an AED was not available.
Jorgensen shared information about CPR training opportunities available locally, encouraging residents to learn the skills needed to respond during a cardiac emergency.
The presentation concluded with a reminder that anyone can help save a life by calling 911, beginning hands-only CPR and using an AED while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.