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CPaRlington PROGRAM :: THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL
The City of Arlington operates a comprehensive
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system designed around the four
links of the AHA’s “chain
of survival” concept:
- Someone witnessed the event, recognized the emergency and called
911.
- Someone started chest compressions and rescue breathing (CPR)
immediately.
- Someone arrived quickly with an
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to shock the heart back
to a healthier rhythm.
- Emergency medical personnel provided advanced care and
subsequently transported the victim to an appropriate hospital.
Included in Arlington’s
chain of survival is an accredited enhanced 9-1-1
communications center which has the capability of identifying the
location of an emergency, sending responders while CPR instructions are
provided to the caller, and advising the 9-1-1 caller of any registered
public access defibrillator that may be nearby.
CPR and
PAD program.
 Dispatchers will send first responders that are
highly qualified Arlington Fire Department members with advanced life
support skills, automatic external defibrillators (AED) and other
equipment. The Fire Department typically arrives within 5-6 minutes
after the 9-1-1 call is received. An advanced life support ambulance
typically arrives within 8-9 minutes after the 9-1-1 call is received.
EMS System
Through our quality improvement process, we search
for ways to enhance service delivery and increase patient survival. We
recognize that the weakest link in Arlington’s “chain of survival” is
ensuring that CPR will be provided before first responders arrive.
To strengthen this link, the Mayor is leading this
CPR initiative by partnering with the American Heart Association and a
growing group of civic-minded organizations to promote awareness and
participation in the "CPaRlington" program.
CPaRlington's goal is to teach CPR
to 10% of Arlington's population during the next five years and thereby
increase survival after cardiac arrest.
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