Save A Friend Campaign

            Stroke and Cardiac Disease are the most frequent and deadly medical events in Santa Cruz County.  EMS responded to over 400 sudden cardiac arrest victims in the past two years.  Many people have poor outcomes because of the lack of responsiveness to early warning signs of stroke or cardiac event.  We have found that early response in these events truly saves lives. 

            The Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Care Commission and Dominican Hospital Foundation have created the Save a Friend campaign.  The focus of the project is to improve the community’s ability to identify signs and symptoms and to encourage intervention by those who witness an individual in distress.  The presentation focuses on four areas that have been proven to save lives:

1. Improve the community awareness of risk factors that lead to cardiac events and strokes in the first place.
2. Increase the public’s awareness of signs and symptoms of an acute cardiac or stroke event.
3. Promote CPR training.
4. Encourage community use of Automatic External Defibrillators. 

            Scotts Valley Fire Protection District is proud to be able to make this presentation to anyone interested.  The District can make this presentation at virtually any facility or people can attend a scheduled presentation at the fire station. 

Parties interested in scheduling a presentation should call the Administration offices during business hours at (831)-438-0211. 

The presentation should take approximately one hour and is free of charge.