You don’t have to be a medical professional to save a life. One quick action — CPR or a defibrillator — can mean the difference between a family dinner next week and a phone call no one wants to receive.

If you don’t know how to do CPR, now is a good time to learn – especially since it can double or triple a person’s chances of survival after cardiac arrest.

A new smartphone app connected to Danville’s emergency response system aims to help cardiac arrest victims receive lifesaving CPR faster by alerting nearby volunteers.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, and today specifically marks World Restart a Heart Day, a global reminder of the importance of knowing CPR.

Driven by the need for more volunteers, the Botetourt County Fire and EMS held a Citizens Academy to better prepare people for emergency situations and maybe make a volunteer first responder out of them.

June is CPR and AED Awareness Month. If you don’t know how to do CPR, now is a good time to learn.

Botetourt County Parks & Recreation is teaming up with Botetourt County Public Schools, Botetourt Fire & EMS, as well as the Compress & Shock Foundation to offer free one-hour classes in bystander CPR & AED use.

Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is highlighting their emergency preparedness programs in honor of Red Cross Month.

Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue is launching the PulsePoint app on Feb. 14 to enhance community health and engagement in Rockbridge County and the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington.

The Compress and Shock Foundation is offering free CPR classes to promote life-saving techniques and equal access to education.

This Saturday, June 3, is the Compress and Shock Foundations’ annual free CPR and AED Educational Day.

Medical professionals are now pushing for everyone to be CPR certified - even if they don’t work in healthcare or as a first responder - now more than ever.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Two emergency dispatchers have been recognized on social media for their efforts to saving lives. Lynchburg’s Department of Emergency Services says the dispatchers recently received two 911 calls, then walked the callers through CPR instructions before paramedics arrived. Pamela Watson, the department’s personnel and training supervisor, says even if you know CPR, a dispatcher can remind you what to do. “Just us giving you the instructions and telling you how to do it: get them on the floor, start pumping the chest. We’re told both victims survived because of the step-by-step instructions.