The American Heart Association (AHA) has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to 185 community sites across 30 states to help them implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), the organization announced. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 400,000 people by creating safer environments in schools, community centers, youth organizations, recreational facilities, faith-based institutions, and other public-serving locations.
Each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States, according to AHA data. Survival often hinges on how quickly bystanders recognize the emergency, call 911, start CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Yet many organizations lack a coordinated response plan. The grants address this gap by providing CPR training kits, AED installation and maintenance, and on-site CPR training to support comprehensive CERP development.
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 exactly 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.
The AHA's efforts build on previous successes. Last year, the organization worked with community leaders to implement 794 CERPs, impacting more than 1.6 million people. With these new grants, the AHA is on track to implement more than 1,000 CERPs this year, helping more people have the best chance of survival.
This push reflects the AHA's Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, which aims to change the perception that CPR is a skill only for medical professionals. By partnering with schools and community organizations, the AHA hopes to build the courage and confidence for bystanders to act during the critical first minutes of a cardiac emergency. "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 AHA's vision of equitable access to lifesaving skills. As a founding member of the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, the AHA advocates for state policies requiring schools to adopt CERPs. For more information, visit heart.org/nation.
Additional resources include the 2025 CPR Guidelines Highlights and materials on Bystander CPR. The AHA also offers a Bystander CPR Infographic and Hands-Only CPR Resources. To learn more about disparities in cardiac arrest outcomes, see the English and Spanish versions of the AHA's community toolkit. A 90-second CPR training video is available at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR. Connect with the AHA at heart.org and stroke.org.
