The Heartsafe TM Community Programme is an Irish Heart Foundation initiative which aims to encourage all communities to strengthen every link in the ‘Chain of Survival’ in their community. The ‘Chain of Survival’ concept comprises four vital links that can save a life: Early Access, Early Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Early Defibrillation and Early Advanced Care.

The Irish Heart Foundation awards 'Heartbeats' in recognition of each step a community takes to strengthen their Chain of Survival. Heartbeats can be earned for such things as CPR training, having an AED Programme or written plans for CPR/AED/Emergencies in your community.

The number of Heartbeats required to become a Heartsafe^TM Community depends on the type of community applying to the programme. The programme recognises four types of communities and each has different heartbeat criteria and requisites to become Heartsafe^TM. The four different types of communities which can apply to the programme are: Communities (towns & villages), Schools, Workplaces and Healthcare Facilities.

The Heartsafe^TM Community Award is valid for two years. Communities which are awarded the Heartsafe^TM award will be expected to be involved in ongoing ‘Heartsafe’ activities to maintain the Heartsafe^TM Award. The Heartsafe Community Programme will be invaluable in maintaining the momentum and enthusiasm needed for this.

If your community has started to complete some of the Heartsafe^TM activities and would like to apply to be recognised as a Heartsafe^TM Community please contact us and we will send you a Heartsafe^TM Community Pack. Each pack includes advice on CPR training, establishing an AED Programme, how to keep your heart healthy and how to apply to become a recognised Heartsafe^TM Community. To receive a Heartsafe^TM Community Pack please contact Sarah on 01-668 5001 and please make sure you specify which type of pack you require, i.e. Community (towns & village), Workplace, School or Healthcare Facility.

Many thanks to David Hiltz who allowed us to adopt the principles he developed and used with great success in Massachusetts, USA.