Guilford Earns HEARTSafe Community Designation From State

GUILFORD, CT — The Town of Guilford has again been designated a HEARTSafe Community by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, a recognition of local efforts to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest, according to an announcement from the town Wednesdya.

State health officials, including Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, announced the re-designation earlier this month.

The HEARTSafe designation evaluates initiatives aimed at increasing access to life-saving resources, including CPR training, public access to automated external defibrillators, networks of trained residents and early access to advanced life support care.

Over the past two years, Defibtech has donated several automated external defibrillators, enabling Guilford Parks and Recreation staff to install 14 devices at schools, athletic fields and other municipal properties, the town said, noting the additions strengthen Guilford’s use of the "chain of survival," which includes early 911 access, prompt CPR, rapid defibrillation and timely advanced cardiac life support.

The Guilford Fire Department also provides monthly CPR and defibrillator training sessions for residents.

"Having available defibrillators and community members who are trained to use them is critical to saving lives during a cardiac arrest," Guilford Fire Chief Mike Shove said in an announcement.

More information can be found here.