IAFC Announces Winners of the Heart Safe Community Award

McLean, VA - Annually, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) EMS Section, with the support of the PulsePoint Foundation, recognizes fire-service-based EMS systems that play a key role in improving out-of-hospital response and treatment of heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. Two Heart Safe Community awards are presented, one for a small/mid-sized community with a population of 100,000 or less and one for a large community with a population more than 100,000.

This year’s winner for the small/mid-sized community is Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue, FL and the large community winner is Sarasota County Fire Department, FL. Both departments have made significant investments in preventing, recognizing, and treating heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest.

“It’s inspiring to see how Palm Beach Gardens and Sarasota County have elevated their commitment to cardiac arrest survival,” said Chief Kevin Joles, Chair of the IAFC EMS Section. “These communities didn’t just invest in best practices—they’ve embraced a culture of readiness and innovation that is saving lives.”

The winners will be recognized at the Fire-Rescue Med (FRM) conference in Las Vegas, NV on May 5-7. Fire-Rescue Med is the premier fire-based EMS conference hosted by the IAFC’s EMS section. Registration for the conference is still open.

Each year, communities can apply for the Heart Safe Community award through the IAFC’s EMS section. Applicants demonstrate how they have improved the quality of out-of-hospital resuscitation through bystander CPR, dispatcher-assisted CPR and nearby AED recommendation, citizen alerting, AED deployment (PAD programs), high performance resuscitation, and data collection and quality improvement initiatives. These initiatives have proven to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. Communities can learn more about the Heart Safe Community Award in the Heart Safe Community Guide.

About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials response, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest best practices and services available for first responders.

Source: International Association of Fire Chiefs