You Are Now Entering a HeartSafe Zone

Community officials in the San Ramon Valley are working hard to promote heart safety among residents. The area was recently designated a HeartSafe community, as an example of those efforts.

The area including Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Blackhawk and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County, is among the first communities in Contra Costa County to be designated HeartSafe by Contra Costa County Health Services.

The distinction was earned through points, or “heart beats," awarded for an enhanced 911 system, highly trained first responders, access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and having at least 10 percent of the population CPR trained.

The San Ramon Valley Citizen Corps Council— made up of the fire district, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the City of San Ramon, the town of Danville and Contra Costa County officials—took part in the effort through its HeartSafe Community Committee.

The council coordinates volunteer activities to improve community safety and emergency preparations. It is coordinated nationally by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A letter last month from Contra Costa County Health Services congratulated the San Ramon Valley Citizen Corps Council for "achieving this prestigious status" as a HeartSafe community.

“Seeing the dedication of local governments, a fire agency and a school district all working together to create a community where heart health is a priority is exemplary," said Pam Dodson, HeartSafe community coordinator for Contra Costa County.

The Citizen Corps Council is hosting a “Help a Heart” ceremony in San Ramon on Valentine's Day to recognize the achievement. Local dignitaries and sudden cardiac arrest survivors will be at the event.

Vicki Wright, a registered nurse and HeartSafe Committee co-chair, said: “It seemed like the perfect day to celebrate heart health and announce our designation to the community."

The event will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the San Ramon Community Center at Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd., in San Ramon.

Learn more about what makes a community HeartSafe on the Fire District's website or Contra Costa County Health's website.