New initiative aims to make Jackson a 4-Minute City

JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 29 marks World Heart Day.

Jackson averages 100 sudden cardiac arrests events each year, with a 6% survival rate.

West Tennessee Healthcare and Friends of Heart are partnering with Avive Solutions to start a program called the 4-Minute City.

The goal of the initiative is to have neighbors help neighbors by providing lifesaving AEDs and hands only CPR to a cardiac arrest victim within minutes of a collapse.

Jackson is the first city in the country to implement the 4-Minute City, and city leaders are excited to be a pioneer.

“This new technology and how it’s going to revolutionize the efforts of saving lives, we see that, and to be a part of it initially, I mean it’s an honor,” said Don Friddle, Chief of Operations for the Jackson Fire Department.

Officials with Friends of Heart hope to have 250 trained individuals in the future.

You can find more local news through the WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News app.