Community Heart Watch presents Heart Safe Accreditation to Chamber

Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
·2 min read

LANCASTER – The Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce is the latest business to be accredited as a Heart Safe Business by Community Heart Watch.

“As a member of the Community Heart Watch Committee, I quickly became aware of the advantages of being prepared for a cardiac emergency, and this prompted me to lead the Chamber of Commerce staff through the process of becoming a Heart Safe-accredited organization.” said Cheryl Barber, member services director of the Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce. “I hope our efforts will encourage other local organizations and businesses to consider participating in this accreditation process, as well.”

Travis Markwood, president of the Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce, agreed. “We take great pride in knowing that we are now more equipped to handle an emergency in our office or at one of the many large events we host throughout the year,” he said.

Community Heart Watch is a collaboration of Fairfield Medical Center and local EMS, educators and businesses which is dedicated to improving survival from cardiac arrest. The Heart Safe business accreditation is designed to equip area businesses to respond to cardiac emergencies by recognizing cardiac arrest, calling 911, starting chest compressions and using an AED while waiting for EMS to arrive. These actions can double or triple the victim's chance of survival.

Heart Safe accreditation criteria includes:

  • AED accessible within 90 seconds

  • Hands-only CPR/AED training for staff

  • Quarterly cardiac emergency drills

  • Annual cardiac arrest awareness event

This accreditation was made possible through the donation of an AED to the Chamber by Fairfield Federal, which was one of the first businesses in the area to be accredited as Heart Safe.

“Fairfield Federal is proud to support the Community Heart Watch Program and the Chamber’s effort to become HSB accredited,” said Fairfield Federal President Mary Snider. “Our Chamber is very active and respected within the business community, and its accreditation will serve as an example to its many members.”

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Community Heart Watch presents Heart Safe Accreditation to Chamber