Don’t be scared, be ready with a free Halloween CPR class! Reservations Required.

The only thing scarier than Halloween is not knowing how to save a life using CPR. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death among American adults.  Learn how to save the lives of your family and friends with a FREE CPR class and costume party. Please wear costumes however please keep your costumes family friendly and no weapons/simulated weaponry permitted! Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. All ages are welcome.  Act fast, limited space. 

Saturday, October 29, 2016
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Public Safety Headquarters
100 Edison Park Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878
* Secure Facility - ID required

To Register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-halloween-costume-cpr-class-registration-18947281830

*This class is open to Montgomery County residents ONLY and does NOT result in certification. The Montgomery Community Emergency response Team (CERT) offers this  class free of charge to  Montgomery County Residents. The class are taught by ASHI professional instructors and Montgomery County EMT’s.

For more information, please contact the CERT Program Manager: greg.stjames@montgomerycountymd.gov.

June 1-7 is National CPR-AED Awareness Week

Your quick actions could save a life. Mouth-to-Mouth is out. Hands-only is in! 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting about 1,000 people every day in the U.S. On average, only 10% of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive. However when victims are treated quickly with CPR and defibrillators, the chance of survival significantly improves. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue has responded to numerous incidents where by-stander CPR has saved lives and encourages all residents to learn this important, lifesaving skill.  

Why don’t more people know and use CPR? Seven common myths that may be barriers to bystander action.

• Myth No. 1: SCA is rare. Fact: The number of people who die from SCA each day is equivalent to the number who would die if two jet planes crashed every single day killing nearly everyone on board.
• Myth: No. 2: SCA is the same as a heart attack. Fact: When people have heart attacks, they are awake and their hearts are beating. When people have SCA, they are not awake and their hearts are not beating. Heart attack can lead to SCA, but there are also many other causes.
• Myth No. 3: SCA only happens to the elderly. Fact: SCA happens to people of all ages, including more than 6,000 youth under the age of 18 each year.
• Myth No. 4: SCA only happens to people with a history of heart problems. Fact: SCA is often the first indication of a heart problem.
• Myth No. 5: Victims are better off waiting for professional help to arrive. Fact: Time is of the essence. Immediate bystander intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
• Myth No. 6: Only trained personnel are allowed to use AEDs. Fact: AEDs can be used effectively by anyone who can follow visual and voice prompts.
• Myth No. 7: AEDs can hurt people by shocking them inappropriately. Fact: People in cardiac arrest are clinically dead. Your actions can only help. AEDs are safe and effective and will not shock the heart unless shocks are needed to restore a healthy heartbeat.
(Source:  Mary Newman, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation)

Need a refresher? Here’s what to do if you witness a possible sudden cardiac arrest:

• Recognize that the person is in trouble and decide to make a difference. Remember, the victim’s heart has stopped beating and without treatment, he or she will die within minutes. Your actions can only help.
• Call 911 and ask someone to bring the nearest AED to the victim’s side if one is available.
• Press hard and fast on the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 times a minute. What? How do I do that? Imagine compressing to the tune of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. That’s it! Mouth-to- mouth is no longer required.

Hands Only CPR Demo

Yesterday morning, live on #Periscope, Capt. Bob Lindsey showed us how to perform hands only CPR. Take a few minutes to learn something new!

Learn About CPR

Great job by Captain Triplett, Master Firefighter/Paramedic Russell, and Firefighter Richardson.

Fire Chief to Recognize “Everyday Hero”

Fire Chief To Honor Everyday Hero

Lifeguards Honored with Everyday Hero Award For Saving Drowning Child

As summer temperatures rise and area pools see increased traffic, swimmers in distress are not always easily identifiable. Lifeguard Abigail Baruch Fry and Pool Manager Colleen Hamm were honored by officials from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service this past Saturday for their quick, decisive and life-saving actions on May 29th

when a 12-year old guest at the swimming pool was rescued from the bottom of the pool. The lifeguards immediately initiated the rescue, revived the child with CPR and the child was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and has since been released.  

Lifeguard Abigail Fry is a rising junior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and Colleen Hamm is a pool manager with Bethesda Aquatics who is currently applying to medical schools when she’s not saving lives. The 12-year old recently returned to the pool to receive swimming lessons, courtesy of his rescuers. Lifeguards from Bethesda Aquatics and Little Falls Swim Club receive extensive training to ensure they’re ready should duty call.  Video below is from WJLA Channel 7 report.

MCFRS Announces Winter CERT Training Class Dates

Montgomery County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will conduct the first CERT training class of 2011 beginning January 26th in Rockville. The class is open to all Montgomery County residents age 18 and older and is offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

“CERT training is a vital component in moving towards a culture of preparedness,” said CERT Program Manager Greg St. James. “We know that immediately following a significant event or disaster that often the first critical response is neighbors helping neighbors. CERT prepares citizens to take action, apply their training and to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness.”

Class topics include Disaster Preparedness, First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Damage Assessment, Fire Safety, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Incident Command System (ICS), Pet Safety, Search and Rescue Techniques, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism Awareness, Radio Use, Mass Casualty Response and Disaster Simulations.

Montgomery County CERT courses are taught by certified instructors and upon successful completion students receive a FEMA certificate.

Classes will be held in Rockville at the Executive Office Building (EOB) or Council Office Building (COB) auditoriums on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. Students are expected to attend all sessions to earn the FEMA certificate. For additional information and to register go to www.montgomerycert.org and follow the instructions.

Winter Session (must attend all sessions):

Wed. (EOB) 1-26-11 Disaster Preparation
Sat. (COB) 1-29-11 CPR/AED
Wed. (COB) 2-02-11 First Aid
Sat. (COB) 2-05-11 Damage Assessment /Hazardous Materials
Wed. (COB) 2-09-11 Incident Command System / Team Organization / Pet Safety
Sat. (COB) 2-12-11 Light Search and Rescue
Wed. (COB) 2-16-11 Disaster Psychology
Sat. (EOB) 2-19-11 Mass Casualty Incidents
Wed. (COB) 2-23-11 Terrorism
Sat. (EOB) 2-26-11 Final Practical