Your Chance to Get Free CPR/AED Training

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

From a press release:

“On June 1, 2016, Serve DC will kick off National Safety Month with FREE Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training in each of the District’s eight wards. This marks the second summer of free CPR/AED safety training under the DC Be Ready campaign providing safety awareness during the National Safety Council’s annual June National Safety Month.

The free CPR/AED classes will be held June 1 – 29, 2016 and will run almost every other day from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at various Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) facilities with the exception of the Saturday, June 18th training course at Banneker Recreation Center (Ward 1) which is scheduled for 10:00am – 2:00pm.

FREE CPR/AED training is being provided by trainers licensed and certified by the American Red Cross to people who live, work or are frequently in the District for activities such as worship or athletic programs.

The Adult CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students how to respond and render assistance to adults (age 12 years and older) experiencing breathing and cardiac emergencies. Students who successfully complete this course will receive a certificate for Adult CPR/AED valid for two years.

Serve DC engages residents with free emergency preparedness training opportunities and brings them together with emergency-trained volunteers who live, work and/or congregate in District communities and are capable of responding in the event of an emergency. Trainings are led by emergency-management professionals and first responders.

“Knowing how to perform CPR is a vital life skill everyone should have and experience using an AED can make the difference between life and death” said Delano Hunter, Chief Service Officer for Serve DC. Hunter goes on to say, “Serve DC is Emergency Support Function 16 (ESF) in the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency’s District Response Plan. Volunteer engagement and response is critical in the event of an emergency, and our free preparedness programs ensure residents have the skills and resources necessary to serve their communities in times of crisis.”

The DC Be Ready goal is to get properly trained citizens prepared to respond to emergencies in their communities. When emergencies happen, this basic training can provide critical support to first responders, immediate assistance to victims and can help organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site.

Trainings are free and conveniently located in each ward at accessible times to fit most schedules and are open to anyone who lives, works or congregates in the District of Columbia. To register for any of the trainings, visit http://dcbereadycpraed2016.eventbrite.com or www.serve.dc.gov.

Serve DC – The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism is the District of Columbia Government agency dedicated to promoting service as an innovative, sustainable solution to pressing social challenges. Serve DC supports communities across the District through federal grant funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Dates of DC Be Ready CPR/AED Training:

∙ June 1 – Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (Ward 5)

∙ June 3 – Deanwood Recreation Center (Ward 7)

∙ June 7 – Green Leaf Recreation Center (Ward 6)

∙ June 8 – Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (Ward 5)

∙ June 10 – Lamond Recreation Center (Ward 4)

∙ June 13 – Barry Farms Recreation Center (Ward 8)

∙ June 15 – Deanwood Recreation Center (Ward 7)

∙ June 18 – Banneker Recreation Center (Ward 1) – (Sat – 10-2)

∙ June 20 – Chevy Chase Recreation Center (Ward 3)

∙ June 21 – Deanwood Recreation Center (Ward 7)

∙ June 24 – TBD

∙ June 28 – Green Leaf Recreation Center (Ward 6)

∙ June 29 – Barry Farms Recreation Center (Ward 8)

***If you require reasonable accommodations please let us know***

For more information about the DC Be Ready free CPR/AED training, scheduling and locations, please visit www.serve.dc.gov or call 202-727-7925 for more information.”