A Heart Safe Community

Don't Wait for the Help, Be the Help!

The program teaches community Bystander CPR and how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Our mission is to increase survival rates of SCA (sudden cardiac arrest) by educating the public in quality CPR and proper use of an AED.

We want to help ensure proper coverage of public access defibrillators in our city. We also serve the following functions:

  • Championed by a Sudden Cardiac Arrest survivor along with Ramsey Police/Fire and the City Council.
  • Allina, Medtronic, and the American Heart Association all support the Heart Safe programs.
  • Free Bystander CPR and AED classes to all Ramsey businesses and residents.
  • We are here to create a healthier and safer community.
  • International award winning video (ECCU-2014) in which the grand prize was an AED to donate to a local business.

Our Goals

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone. And it's almost always fatal. Cardiovascular events, including cardiac arrest, are the second-leading cause of death in Minnesota, responsible for almost 20% of deaths.

In Minnesota in 2010, more than 35% of deaths due to heart disease happened prior to arriving at the hospital, and many of those were due to cardiac arrest. This is why the Minnesota Department of Health, the American Heart Association, the Minnesota Ambulance Association, the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium, and others have partnered to promote Heart Safe Communities.

This collaborative effort intends to prevent death from sudden cardiac arrest by increasing community and public awareness, placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) wherever people live, work and play, and by educating the public on how to administer CPR. The Heart Safe program has two main goals:

  • To ensure that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are easily accessible in the community.
  • To make sure the public is educated and trained to both recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest, and utilize hands–only CPR and AEDs.

Ramsey Officially Becomes a Minnesota Heart Safe CommunityHeart Safe Award Presentation July 14, 2015

The City of Ramsey is proud to announce that it has officially met all criteria required to become a Minnesota Heart Safe Community.  An award presentation was held at the Ramsey City Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 14th, 2015 to recognize this community achievement. 

Heart Safe Ramsey Achieves Goal of 1,400 Residents Trained

TheHeart Safe Ramsey 1,400 Residents Trained Heart Safe-Ramsey program has recently accomplished its goal of training 1,400 Ramsey residents in bystander CPR and proper AED use.  The Heart Safe-Ramsey Committee was recognized for this achievement through a special presentation on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at the regular City Council Meeting.

Heart Safe Committee, Ramsey Lions and Bystanders Recognized for Lifesaving Work

At the Council meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 Mayor Strommen and the Ramsey City Council recognized the Heart Safe-Ramsey program, the Ramsey Lions Club, and the bystanders that took action to save a Ramsey man's life at The Outpost Bar & Grill in Ramsey on January 11, 2018.

Heart Safe AED Save Recognition January 23, 2018

Police Chief Jeff Katers highlighted the work of Heart Safe Champion, Tim Hoffman, and the Ramsey Lions for their donation of the automated external defibrillator (AED) that saved the life of Ramsey resident, Mike Stueve.  He also thanked bystanders Amy Miller and Jacob Lowe, for taking action to perform CPR and utilize the AED that night.  Chief Katers presented Amy Miller, who was in attendance, with a Ramsey Heart Safe Life Saving Award.  Survivor Mike and his daughter Cami were also grateful to be in attendance.