WEST HAVEN, May 10, 2023 — The city has been named a HEARTSafe community by the state Department of Public Health and the American Heart Association, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.
DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani congratulated Rossi on West Haven’s designation in an April 24 letter.
“This three-year re-designation, effective April 24, 2023, recognizes your community’s continued commitment to provide improved cardiac response and care to the residents of your community utilizing the ‘Chain of Survival’ of early 9-1-1 access, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation and advanced care,” Juthani wrote.
Rossi commended Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto for coordinating the city’s application and meeting the renewal requirements of a HEARTSafe community.
“This recognition is a direct reflection of the efforts of our emergency management director, Joseph Soto,” Rossi said. “Thank you for continuing to make West Haven a safer community.”
The city has received a citation from the DPH Office of Emergency Medical Services for its designation.
The office’s HEARTSafe Program, in collaboration with the heart association, is aimed at helping Connecticut’s municipalities, workplaces and campuses improve the chances of survival for anyone suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.
According to the program, 110 of the 169 municipalities are designated HEARTSafe communities. In addition, 11 businesses in the state are designated HEARTSafe workplaces.
The designations are awarded through an application process.