More than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States, and survival often hinges on immediate recognition, calling 911, starting CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED). Yet many community organizations, schools, and public facilities lack a coordinated response plan. To address this, the American Heart Association has awarded grants to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) at 185 sites in 30 states, benefiting approximately 400,000 people. The grants, totaling over $1.1 million, include CPR training kits, AED installation and maintenance, and on-site CPR training.
Sites were selected through a spring application process, with priority given to organizations serving youth and families in areas of greatest need. A CERP is a written, site-specific plan that outlines how an organization should respond to a cardiac emergency, ensuring staff and volunteers know their roles, how to activate emergency medical services, begin CPR, and access an AED quickly. The plans also encourage regular practice and evaluation of response procedures. Last year, the Association helped implement 794 CERPs, impacting more than 1.6 million people. With these grants, it is on track to implement over 1,000 CERPs this year.
The initiative reflects the Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to shift the perception that CPR is only for medical professionals to a shared human responsibility. "The real heroes of this work are the communities choosing to take action before an emergency happens," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "By working directly with communities we're hoping we can create a culture where training and preparation are the norm."
The effort also reinforces the Association's vision of accessible lifesaving skills for all. As a founding member of the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, the Association champions state policies requiring schools to adopt CERPs. For more information, visit Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and CPR education resources.
Additional resources include the 2025 CPR Guidelines Highlights, Bystander CPR information, and a Bystander CPR Infographic. Hands-Only CPR resources are available at Hands-Only CPR Resources, and a comparison of Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths is also available. Special considerations for Women and CPR and the difference between Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack are highlighted. To address disparities, toolkits are offered in English and Spanish. Learn CPR in 90 seconds at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
