American Heart Association Grant Helps Cincinnati Parks Strengthen Cardiac Emergency Preparedness

Paycor Community Impact Fund investment supports emergency response planning, CPR training and AED access across Cincinnati Parks

The American Heart Association is helping make Cincinnati’s parks and nature centers better prepared for cardiac emergencies through a grant provided by Paycor Community Impact Fund to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation.

The investment will support efforts to assess opportunities for automated external defibrillator, or AED, placement and expand CPR certification and training capacity within Cincinnati Parks. The partnership will explore additional opportunities to bring lifesaving education and resources directly to the community through events held in local parks.

The funding will also help Cincinnati Parks develop Cardiac Emergency Response Plans, or CERPs, for six nature centers: Bettman Nature Center, Avon Woods Nature Center, Burnet Woods, Caldwell Nature Center, California Woods Nature Preserve and LaBoiteaux Woods Nature Center.

Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States experience an EMS-assessed cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, and about 90% do not survive. CPR, especially when performed immediately, can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.

“Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere, and being prepared can make a critical difference,” said Alyson Poling, Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati American Heart Association. “Through this collaboration, we’re helping equip Cincinnati Parks staff and community spaces with plans, training and resources that can help strengthen the chain of survival when every second matters.”

To celebrate the campaign and highlight the importance of cardiac emergency preparedness, the American Heart Association, Cincinnati Parks and the Parks Foundation will gather at Bettman Nature Center on World Restart a Heart Day, Friday, Oct. 16. The media event will feature hands-on CPR demonstrations, testimonials and brief remarks from organization and city leaders.

World Restart a Heart Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about cardiac arrest and the importance of knowing how to respond. Fewer than 40% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the urgent help they need before professional help arrives. About 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, meaning the person you may be called on to save could be someone you know and love.

For a teen or adult who suddenly collapses, Hands-Only CPR has two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.

“We know that spending time in Cincinnati Parks is good for your health. Now, thanks to the American Heart Association, we have another important tool to keep visitors to our nature centers safe and healthy.” Said Jennifer Hafner Spieser, President + CEO, Cincinnati Parks Foundation.

The Cincinnati Parks initiative will build on that lifesaving message by helping create more prepared public spaces and expanding opportunities for the community to learn CPR and how to respond during a cardiac emergency.

“This grant is the start of an important collaboration focused on making our parks and nature centers more prepared for cardiac emergencies,” said Andrew Bernier PhD, Manager of Education, Cincinnati Parks. “In a given year, more than 200 Parks public servants work hard to create spaces for hundreds of thousands of visitors, some of whom work and recreate strenuously. At our nature centers alone, we serve over 10,000 individuals, mostly youth. With all those hearts in mind, we look forward to building on this investment and finding new ways to bring lifesaving resources and education to the communities our parks serve.”

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.