City of Rochester and Monroe County leaders join first responders to launch HEARTSafe Rochester initiative aimed at training thousands in lifesaving skills

Rochester, New York – On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Frontier Field, the familiar crack of a baseball bat was paired with an announcement that could one day save lives across Monroe County. Local leaders gathered during “First Responders Day” at the Rochester Red Wings home game to unveil a sweeping new public safety campaign—HEARTSafe Rochester.

The effort, they explained, is not just a slogan but a structured countywide push to prepare everyday people to act when sudden cardiac arrest strikes. Backed by the American Heart Association and rooted in a proven national framework, the HEARTSafe designation can only be earned by communities that commit to meeting ambitious standards. Rochester and Monroe County are now aiming squarely at those benchmarks.

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The heart of the challenge is training. To qualify, at least 15 percent of residents—roughly 113,000 people—must be educated in CPR and AED use. That means block-by-block outreach, expanded access to automated defibrillators in public places, and improved dispatcher instructions for 911 calls. Officials said it is an uphill task, but one that has the potential to save hundreds of lives every year.

“This is more than a City initiative. More than a County initiative. This is a mission for our entire community,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans, standing alongside firefighters and paramedics who had just finished hands-on CPR demonstrations for fans. “We will work block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, school by school, faith community by faith community to reach those 113,000 people. Everyone has the power to save a life. I believe Rochester can do big things. But we have got to do it together.”

Spectators who came to cheer for the Red Wings also found themselves drawn into practical lessons. Tents staffed by the Rochester Fire Department, AMR ambulance crews, and Rochester Police officers offered residents a chance to try chest compressions on mannequins, ask questions about AEDs, and walk away with information on free upcoming trainings.

The announcement carried extra weight thanks to the release of a new public service announcement featuring Mayor Evans and County Executive Adam J. Bello. Played on the stadium’s big screen, the video urged viewers to take the issue personally—reminding them that cardiac arrest can strike without warning, in homes, workplaces, or public spaces.

“Improving the public’s understanding of cardiac emergencies and how to respond to them is the first step in saving lives,” said Bello. “What happens during the first few minutes of any emergency can make a life-or-death difference. HEARTSafe Rochester’s wholistic approach will encourage our residents to get CPR and AED training, as well as provide additional training to our 911 dispatchers, so that we can better respond to emergencies and save more lives.”

Medical experts emphasize that the timing could not be more urgent. Sudden cardiac arrest claims more than 350,000 lives each year in the United States, and survival rates are far higher when bystanders act quickly. Research shows that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, but too often those nearby hesitate or simply do not know what to do.

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The launch in Rochester seeks to change that mindset through education and exposure. The American Heart Association, the University of Rochester, AMR, and the Rochester Broadway Theater League are among the key organizations stepping in as partners. Schools, businesses, churches, and nonprofits will also be called on to host trainings, spread awareness, and make AEDs visible and available.

The campaign is designed to ripple outward. A public awareness drive will run in tandem with on-the-ground opportunities to learn lifesaving skills. Leaders stressed that the ultimate goal is cultural—that Rochester residents see cardiac preparedness the same way they see fire drills or seatbelts: a matter of habit, not hesitation.

For fans leaving the ballpark, the message was clear. The cheers for the Red Wings may have faded by evening, but the lessons shared on the field could linger for years. The initiative now moves from announcement to action, with community leaders betting on Rochester’s ability to rally, not just around baseball, but around the shared responsibility of saving lives.