City of Fort Worth Community Relations Department

City Encourages Residents to Take Advantage of Free CPR Classes
If a cardiac arrest happened to your loved one or a close friend, would you know how to perform life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which can double a victim's chance of survival?  Surprisingly, the vast majority of Americans don't.

In an effort to help Fort Worth residents gain life-saving CPR skills, the City of Fort Worth Public Health Department provides free American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR classes the first Thursday of every month. The classes are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Public Health Center, 1800 University Drive , Room 116.

The February class will take place Feb. 7. Classes are for residents 10 years of age and older. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian.

According to the American Heart Association, about 75 to 80 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home, so being trained to perform CPR can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.

American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR program allows families, friends and the general public - who most likely would not attend a traditional CPR course - to learn the core skills of CPR. It uses a unique "watch and do" method where participants practice CPR on an inflatable mannequin while watching these skills being taught and performed. 

These classes are not for certification. Anyone who needs a CPR class for certification should contact their local American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

To register or for more information on the classes, call the CPR message line at 817-871-6237. 

Help For Special Needs Residents During Emergencies

When disaster strikes, seconds count and knowledge is power. As first responders approach a burning structure, they may not always know what to expect. But, knowing someone inside may have a special need could be the difference between life and death.

The Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) will provide Fort Worth and Tarrant County emergency responders with vital information about residents with permanent disabilities. Through this unique program, residents are encouraged to register each year with the Office of Emergency Management by providing disability-specific information. Such information may include a need for life support systems or mobility aids.

This information will reduce the adverse affects on those with permanent disabilities during an emergency. It will also give residents with special needs the peace of mind knowing first responders are equipped with accurate information to assist during a local disaster. Data compiled for the SNAP program will be confidential for use by emergency response agencies only.

Residents can now register with SNAP online at www.snapforyou.org. There will also be opportunities to register in person at various events and locations throughout the city. To find out more about those opportunities, or if you have questions about the SNAP program, please call 817-392-6144.

If you or someone in your household has a special need, it's important to incorporate them into your disaster plans. Here are some ways to be prepared:

Keep seven to 14 days worth of medication on hand.
Keep support items in a designated place so they can be found quickly. Include caretakers in the planning process.
Provide the power company with a list of all power-dependent life-support equipment and plan for an alternate power source in advance.
Create an adequate emergency food supply for those with special dietary needs.