The Truth Staff
The 3rd Annual Community CPR Event was hosted by CC419 at the University of Toledo Student Recreation Center on Saturday, November 4. Hundreds of attendees earned free CPR, FA, & AED certifications for adults, children and infants and received community resources.
The initiative was led by Tashara B., owner of Safety Nest; Toledo Public Safety Director Brian Byrd and Taylor Automotive Family Ambassador Terry Crosby.
“With all the current negativity in our world,” stated Crosby, “this event was a clear indication that when we come together as the people, our communities are stronger and if we choose to stick together we become so much more unified and better making our residence of stay so much more positive, safer and progressive.” He applauded the joint effort of the partners and supporters.
The aim of the event was to bring awareness and CPR training to an area that is generally overlooked and underserved. The certification will impact the lives of many in emergency situations where every second counts.
“There are health disparities [here]…” stated Byrd, “As a result of those health disparities, we have more people in under resourced communities who suffer from cardiac arrests. And we’re less likely to have anybody in these same areas doing bystander CPR prior to the arrival of the EMS.”
“Education is the key,” he emphasized. ”There’s not a lot of people in our communities in the central city who are CPR certified.”
The event welcomed people of all ages and walks of life from students to community members and children. Over 200 people registered and become CPR certified Saturday.
The partners and sponsors for the event included but are not limited to Toledo Fire & Rescue, Toledo Police, Safety Nest, Mercy Health, CC419, the Media MudTalk, 103.3fm, BCAN, The Truth, Toledo Fire & Rescue, Toledo Police Department, the Department of Water Utilities, and Bowsher Med-Tech Programs.
The group plans to host a fourth annual next year and expand the program even further.
