Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and rapid defibrillation via an automated external defibrillator (AED) are the most impactful actions when treating someone who suffers from sudden cardiac arrest. A person's chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest decrease by 10 percent every minute the brain is starved of oxygen, but CPR can prolong that time, allowing for life-saving treatment by paramedics and emergency service providers. 

In fact, research has demonstrated that bystander CPR can double or triple the potential of a positive outcome involving sudden cardiac arrest.

This is why one of our department’s goals is to increase the number of employees and citizens that are equipped with hands-only CPR/AED training to help create a safer, more resilient community.

The Fire Department is offering the following free hands-only CPR/AED training:

9 a.m. & 11 a.m.  Saturday, February 1, 2025
Fire Station 3, 4081 University Drive, Fairfax (3rd floor event hall)
Class size: 20
Registration:

          https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FAAAB23A7FDC70-52881183-free

  or 703-385-7940

(Please note: this training does not meet the requirements
for healthcare workers attempting to obtain a BLS-CPR card.)

Can't attend this date? Consider attending our other hands-only CPR course offerings:

March 1st- 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FAAAB23A7FDC70-52881396-free

April 5th- 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FAAAB23A7FDC70-52881586-free

May 3rd- 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4FAAAB23A7FDC70-52881807-free

Why Hands-Only CPR?

The push towards hands-only CPR in recent years is twofold.

First, recent evidence demonstrates that compressions are the most important component of CPR. There is residual oxygen present within the body in the initial minutes after cardiac arrest, and efforts to circulate this blood as soon as possible is extremely beneficial in successfully resuscitating a patient.

Secondly, many individuals are hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation, which may deter someone from performing any resuscitative efforts. Hands-only CPR addresses this concern and ensures that at least compressions are provided to the patient. 

These factors are some of the key reasons that led us towards the implementation of a hands-only CPR program. Hands-only CPR has the added benefit of being easy to learn and remember, which increases the chances of successful performance during the stressful event of a sudden cardiac arrest. 

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

The City of Fairfax has placed AEDs in every city municipal building, in fire department and police department vehicles, in select Public Works vehicles, and in various city gathering locations. We hope to never have to use one of these life-saving devices, but we want to have them available for use by trained employees and/or citizens when needed. 

Fire Department staff are available to consult with local business owners to determine the best defibrillator, signage, and storage location — to ensure defibrillators are available to the public when the need arises. 

Look around the next time you are in a public building and see if you can find one. CPR training will teach you when and how to use one — so sign up today!

City of Fairfax business owners and managers who are interested in purchasing an AED or conducting Hands-Only CPR/AED training in their building/business, may e-mail CPR@fairfaxva.gov for assistance. 

Not available for a full CPR/AED training course? Call 703-385-2835 or email CPR@fairfaxva.gov to arrange a time to stop by any of our firehouses — and we can provide the quick basics on hands-only CPR in only 10 minutes (or less). Although this may not be as detailed as the one-hour course, it will provide the key components of saving a life with CPR.