For Immediate Release:

Contact
Johns Creek: Rosemary Taylor, 678-223-8828
American Heart Association: John Smiles, 678-392-6306

American Heart Association lauds Johns Creek’s lifesaving efforts
as Georgia’s 1st municipality to receive “Heart Ready City” recognition

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia—July 21, 2008—Johns Creek becomes the first city in Georgia to receive the American Heart Association’s “Heart Ready City” award at a July 26, 2008 presentation at 10 am at Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

U.S. Rep. Tom Price joins Johns Creek’s Mayor Mike Bodker and City Council as the association recognizes the City for its leadership and commitment to save lives. This year, Johns Creek institutes a community-wide Automated External (AED) Program, sponsored by area businesses and residents.

“The American Heart Association (AHA) congratulates Johns Creek on being recognized as a ‘Heart Ready City.’ This designation is due to the hard work and dedication of the city’s leaders in their commitment to training governmental employees in CPR, hosting community CPR events, the proliferation of automated external defibrillators for public access in the community, and providing life saving public services at the highest level,” said the Association’s Senior Director of EMS Mike Willingham.

Every 26 seconds an American has a coronary incident and every 60 seconds someone dies from one.* The use of an AED – a small, portable device that sends an electric shock to the heart and restores a patient’s heart rhythm to normal levels – greatly increases the chance of survival.

Johns Creek’s program includes placement of an AED in each of the city’s 29 police patrol cars and AED training for each patrol officer. A community-wide CPR/AED training program will be made possible through a joint venture of the Johns Creek Fire Department, the American Heart Association and Emory Johns Creek Hospital.

Donating $10,000 to the program, Emory Johns Creek Hospital was joined by Georgia Power, Rural Metro EMS, Ciba Vision and Olde Taylor Farms to raise $34,800 to outfit every police patrol car.

To further enhance the City’s community-wide program, the AHA also donated six AEDs ($11,400 total value) for use in Johns Creek’s parks, Municipal Court and City Hall.

“We appreciate the American Heart Association’s tremendous contribution in our efforts to address cardiovascular emergencies in our community and we are grateful for the generosity of these community business leaders who are helping make Johns Creek a ‘Heart Ready City,’” said Mayor Bodker.

Emory Johns Creek Hospital is located at 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek, GA 30097. The presentation, along with AED demonstrations and refreshments, will take place adjacent to the Emergency Room entrance.

* American Heart Association’s Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics (2008)

Press Contact:
Rosemary Taylor
Communications Manager, Public Safety
City of Johns Creek
P 678-223-8828

The City of Johns Creek believes all press releases were accurate as of their respective dates, but makes no representation as to accuracy on any other date and assumes no responsibility for updating information contained in any press release.