MEDIA RELEASE: LA Health Services Leads Community CPR Training Effort During National CPR & AED Awareness Week

LOS ANGELES — LA General Medical Center, part of LA Health Services, hosted a large-scale Sidewalk CPR training event today, bringing together healthcare professionals, emergency responders, and community members to learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR techniques. 

Held during National CPR & AED Awareness Week, the event provided free CPR training for staff, patients, and members of the surrounding community, empowering participants with the knowledge and confidence to respond during cardiac emergencies. 

The event was conducted in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles City Fire Department, and the American Heart Association, highlighting the region’s coordinated approach to emergency response and public safety. 

As one of the largest 9-1-1 Medical Receiving Centers and safety-net hospitals in Los Angeles County, LA General Medical Center treats approximately one-quarter of the emergency department visits in the downtown Los Angeles metropolitan area and serves as a cornerstone of the region’s emergency medical care system. 

“At LA General Medical Center, we see every day how critical the first few minutes of an emergency can be,” said Jorge Orozco, Chief Executive Officer of LA General Medical Center. "Our teams care for some of the most critically ill and injured patients in the region. When community members know CPR, they become part of the lifesaving chain that begins long before a patient reaches the hospital.” 

Each year, thousands of people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals in Los Angeles County, and most occur in homes. Immediate CPR performed by a bystander can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, yet fewer than half of victims receive CPR before emergency responders arrive. 

“Los Angeles County operates one of the largest and most complex EMS systems in the country, and every cardiac arrest response begins long before paramedics arrive,” said Richard Tadeo, Director of Los Angeles County EMS Agency. “Bystander CPR is one of the most critical links in the chain of survival. Community training events like Sidewalk CPR ensure more residents are prepared to act in those first lifesaving minutes before EMS reaches the scene.” 

Hands-Only CPR focuses on calling 9-1-1 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest, helping keep blood and oxygen circulating to vital organs until paramedics arrive. 

The event underscores the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, emergency responders, and community members in strengthening public preparedness and improving survival from cardiac arrest. 

“Los Angeles County’s emergency response system depends on strong coordination between hospitals, EMS providers, and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of LA Health Services. “As the second-largest public health system in the nation, LA Health Services oversees both LA General Medical Center and the County’s EMS system, and we see every day how critical the first few minutes of an emergency can be. By teaching community members Hands-Only CPR, we are strengthening the entire chain of survival and helping ensure more lives can be saved across Los Angeles County.” 

Through initiatives like Sidewalk CPR, LA General Medical Center, EMS, and LA Health Services continue advancing their mission of providing world-class care and education for all, while helping ensure communities across Los Angeles County are better prepared to respond in lifesaving emergencies. 

About LA Health Services 
LA Health Services is LA County’s integrated healthcare system and the second-largest public health system in the nation. Our system includes four public hospitals, more than 20 community health centers, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Correctional Health Services, and community-based programs that connect people to care where they are.  

We serve as the safety net for more than 10 million residents, providing care regardless of ability to pay, insurance coverage, or immigration status. As one connected system, we deliver extraordinary care—from prevention and primary care to emergency, specialty, trauma, and recovery services across Los Angeles County. 

About LA General Medical Center 
Los Angeles General Medical Center (LA General) is a 600-bed Level I Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center within LA Health Services. A Magnet®-designated teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Southern California (USC) and the USC College of Nursing, LA General is a national leader in trauma and specialty care. Located in Boyle Heights, it provides advanced treatment through its renowned Burn Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and comprehensive pediatric and psychiatric emergency services.  

About LA Emergency Medical Services 
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is part of LA Health Services. EMS coordinates the County’s emergency medical response system, working with fire departments, ambulance providers, hospitals, and public safety partners to deliver rapid, lifesaving care. It oversees system planning, ambulance services, trauma coordination, disaster response, and emergency medical protocols across Los Angeles County. EMS also plays a critical role in training and certifying first responders. Through approved programs and professional accreditation, the EMS Agency prepares and certifies EMTs and paramedics, ensuring communities can rely on highly skilled professionals when seconds matter most.