Community Heart Watch Advocating for Awareness

The Community Heart Watch, formed in partnership with Fairfield Medical Center, was created with one mission in mind: to save lives across the region. This committee of local healthcare providers, educators, first responders and economic leaders is determined to improve sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survival rates throughout southeastern Ohio by:

Learn more about how you can become a hero.

Friends of the Community

In addition to FMC and regional first responders, local organizations have joined the cause by receiving their Heart Safe Business Accreditation through Fairfield Medical Center’s education program. This program was designed to provide lifesaving training to the staff and personnel of participating businesses, allowing them to administer emergency care until first responders arrive.

Heart Safe Accredited Businesses and Schools:

Fairfield Federal Savings & Loan
Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Fairfield County Job and Family Services
Lancaster-Fairfield County Community Action Agency
Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce
Fisher Catholic High School
Berne Union Local Schools
Lancaster City Schools

To learn more about becoming a Heart Safe Organization, contact FMC’s community outreach coordinator at 740-687-6929, or view our Heart Safe Business Accreditation Toolkit and Heart Safe School Accreditation Toolkit.

Great Save Spotlight

Fairfield County Foundation Supports “Heart Safe” Mission

While Fairfield Medical Center serves as the fiscal agent for Community Heart Watch, many of their valuable initiatives are funded by donations and grants from organizations across the region. In 2022, the Fairfield County Foundation awarded the group $19,525 to further their lifesaving mission.

Community Heart Watch Donates AED to Perry Co. Gym

Through its Community AED program, which has placed more than 400 of the life-saving devices in community areas or public places, Community Heart Watch was able to donate an AED to Polly Pletcher, owner of New Dimensions Tan & Fitness.

State Highway Patrol Trooper Honored by Community Heart Watch for Lifesaving Intervention

A State Highway Patrol Trooper was posthumously honored with a Great Save Award from Community Heart Watch after he helped save the life of a person who suffered cardiac arrest while driving.

Community Heart Watch Unveils Mobile CPR and AED Training Unit

Community Heart Watch is proud to announce that its new CPR and AED mobile training unit will begin serving Fairfield, Hocking and Perry counties beginning this spring. The mobile training unit is a 14’ trailer equipped with CPR manikins and AED training devices. Throughout the year, Community Heart Watch members will bring the unit to various community events to provide hands-on training for CPR and AED use.

Educators Save Life of Local Student, Recognized for Taking Action

On April 27, Fairfield Medical Center and the Community Heart Watch committee recognized seven Lancaster City Schools staff members for their lifesaving actions during a medical emergency in January 2021.

How Can I Help?

Join the cause and do your part to improve SCA survival rates in your community by:

Learning more about sudden cardiac arrest, the impact of bystander intervention and how you can become a hero.
Sharing your newfound knowledge with family, friends, coworkers and peers.

Being an advocate for awareness is an important step of saving lives: recognition and a rapid response are proven to increase survival rates.

Talking with your employer and loved ones about participating in hands-on CPR education.

For more information on CPR education for your business, contact FMC community educator Resa Tobin at resa@fmchealth.org.

Video Contest Winners Student Submissions

Community Heart Watch recently hosted a CPR video contest, and the results are in! Two winners were chosen, and each took home the top prize of $500 for their winning video submissions. Congratulations, everyone!

The videos, which promoted hands-only CPR training and AED use, were judged with a 50% focus on educational value and accuracy and a 50% focus on entertainment value and creativity. Thank you to all participants for raising awareness and encouraging bystanders to make a difference!

Winner: Joshua Henwood, Fairfield Union

Watch Video

Winner: Fisher Catholic Theater & Drama Club

Watch Video

CPR Education

Interested in finding a certified CPR course for yourself or loved ones? Learn more about CPR classes.
Interested in pursuing CPR training for your workplace? Learn more about our Heart Safe accreditation.

Community Heart Watch