FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 02/14/2022 Contact: Lee Hermiston, Public Safety Information Officer Phone: 319-356-5256
City of Iowa City accepts five AEDs in partnership with Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe Community
When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, every moment matters. With each minute that goes by without intervention, the chances of survival decrease by 10 percent. Immediate CPR doubles or triples the chances of survival, but use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is even more effective in ensuring positive outcomes.
With that in mind, the Iowa City Fire Department is proud to partner with the Rotary-Kerber HeartSafe Community Campaign to install five AEDs throughout Iowa City. The Fire Department will also work with the Johnson County Ambulance Service and HeartSafe to promote and provide CPR courses at various venues and events, including the Farmer's Market, Summer of the Arts events, and Downtown Block Party.
Precise locations of the new AEDs are being finalized. They will be located in the areas of:
Highway 1 West and Miller Avenue
Mormon Trek Blvd and Cameron Way
Dubuque Street and Jefferson Street
Court Street and First Avenue
Highway 6 East and Broadway Street
PulsePoint service available countywide
The Fire Department and HeartSafe also recommend the use of the free-to-download PulsePoint app. According to PulsePoint, app users trained in CPR can receive notifications when someone nearby is having a cardiac emergency. The app also alerts the user to the nearest AED. The app is available for both Android and iOS (Apple) devices.
Johnson County officially launched the PulsePoint service countywide on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022.
What to do if you see someone in cardiac arrest
Symptoms of cardiac arrest include the sudden loss of responsiveness and abnormal or no breathing. If you see someone in cardiac arrest, take these steps:
