February is American Heart Month—To raise awareness, Communications Supervisor Sarah Hogue decorated the Emergency Communications Center with International Academies of Emergency Dispatch training through displays and puzzles highlighting the importance of heart disease and heart health.
"We play an essential role in determining the nature and priority of every call," said Sarah. "Since most cardiac arrests occur at home, people typically call for loved ones. We must be the experts in getting them to provide vital assistance."
CPR instructions provided by dispatchers over the phone are critical to saving lives during cardiac emergencies. Dispatchers are often the first point of contact during a medical emergency, and their role in providing timely and accurate instructions can make the difference between life and death. CPR is a life-saving technique that can help maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain until medical personnel arrive on the scene. As such, many of the City of Allen's Dispatchers have provided CPR instructions, playing a crucial role in the chain of survival. We are incredibly thankful for our invaluable First Responders, who are vital in improving outcomes for those experiencing cardiac emergencies in our community.
