Successful Free CPR Training Event to Return Next Year

2023 was the inaugural year for Heart Month CPR in Kane County. Throughout the month of February, free CPR classes were provided by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Kane County Health Department, Sherman Hospital, and Kaneville Fire Department. This partnership engaged and educated the general public on how to provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to adults, children and infants. Classes also covered relief from choking and the use of Narcan on individuals experiencing opioid overdoses.

Approximately 470 individuals attended 29 free classes in February. Due to the overwhelming interest and response from Kane County residents as well as surrounding communities, Heart Month CPR will now be an annual occurrence in Kane County. Among the people who took the classes were members of the public, municipal first responders, Illinois Department of Public Health employees, healthcare providers, educators, and employees from neighboring counties.

Heart Month is the latest evolution in Kane County’s commitment to provide high quality CPR training. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office began their CPR training program in 1991 under the direction of now Commander Kevin Tindall. At the time, Tindall was also the Chair of the Kane County Coordinating Committee which set training standards and coordinated efforts among CPR programs within the county. In 1995 the Sheriff’s Office expanded their in-house CPR program to provide training for all Kane County employees, and in 2002 began training other county employees to be CPR instructors. In 2019 the program was expanded again to offer the trainings to employee family members as well.

Now, with the addition of Heart Month and increased capabilities from the Kane County Health Department, the public will see additional opportunities throughout the year to learn these lifesaving skills at no cost.