The American Heart Association (AHA) has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to community-serving organizations to implement Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) at 185 sites across 30 states, the organization announced on September 23, 2026. The initiative aims to enhance emergency preparedness and create safer environments for approximately 400,000 people, according to a NEWMEDIAWIRE release.
Every year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States, and survival often hinges on immediate recognition, calling 911, starting CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED). Yet many organizations lack a coordinated response plan. The grants provide CPR training kits, AED installation and maintenance, and on-site CPR training to support comprehensive CERP development.
Sites were selected through an application process in the spring, with priority given to organizations serving youth and families in areas of greatest need. A CERP is a written, site-specific plan that outlines exactly how an organization should respond during a cardiac emergency, ensuring staff and volunteers know their roles, how to activate emergency medical services, begin CPR, and access an AED quickly. The plans also encourage regular practice and evaluation of response procedures.
The effort builds on the AHA's Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, which seeks to shift the perception that CPR is a skill only for medical professionals to a shared human responsibility. Last year, the Association worked with community leaders to implement 794 CERPs, impacting more than 1.6 million people. With these grants, the AHA is on track to implement over 1,000 CERPs this year.
"The real heroes of this work are the communities choosing to take action before an emergency happens," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "By working directly with communities we're hoping we can create a culture where training and preparation are the norm. Because the truth is when people prioritize CPR training and preparedness as a shared responsibility, more lives can be saved."
The grants reflect a growing movement to ensure that lifesaving skills are accessible to everyone. As a founding member of the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, the AHA also champions state policies requiring schools to implement CERPs. For more information on CERPs and CPR education, visit Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and heart.org/nation.
Additional resources include the 2025 CPR Guidelines Highlights, Bystander CPR information, a Bystander CPR Infographic, and Hands-Only CPR Resources. The public can also learn the difference between Hands-Only CPR vs CPR with Breaths and access a toolkit on reducing disparities in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in English and Spanish. To join the Heart Powered grassroots network, visit heartpowered.org/cerps. Take 90 seconds to learn how to save a life at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR.
The AHA's broader mission is supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, funding research, advocating for public health, and providing critical resources to save lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. For more information, visit heart.org and stroke.org.
