Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Health and Public Safety Committee

A short while ago L.A. Mayor Garcetti and LAFD Chief Terrazas issued a City-wide plea to encourage all citizens, residents and stakeholders regarding the critical importance of learning the practice of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to save lives during a sudden cardiac arrest emergency.

Each day, more than 1,000 persons fall victim to Sudden Cardiac Arrest and more than 90% do not survive the trip to the hospital. Four out of five Sudden Cardiac arrest emergencies happen at home. So, chances are that the life you’re trying to save will be a parent, spouse, grandparent, child or friend. If the victims receive CPR treatment during the critical time it takes for EMS and Paramedics to arrive, we can double or even triple the survival rate. We realize that it’s all about buying time to save a life – before paramedics arrive.

In 2016, the Health & Public Safety Committee of the Lake Balboa NC began an innovative program and set an ambitious goal to help improve the quality of life in their community by helping to improve survival rates of victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The Council partnered with the well – known American Heart Association health care training organization to provide FREE community CPR training for all residents and stakeholders, not only from the Lake Balboa community, but throughout the San Fernando Valley.

The Committee established a regular monthly schedule of free community training classes at the Van Nuys Flyaway designed to attract and bring in community members from all over the Valley. The class was structured to include easy to learn CPR/AED/First Aid training for both youth and adults. The Optional 2-year CPR certification was also available for those who wanted or needed to show proof of training. Notice of the training class was posted in local social media as well as local newspapers.

In addition, the Council also collaborated with other NC councils, such as Northridge West , and successfully provided education and training to community residents, educators and stakeholders in the Northridge area as well.

The Lake Balboa NC Health & Public Safety Committee also led the way in successfully gaining L.A. City Council support of AB 1719 which was signed into law in September 2016 which now requires mandatory hands-on CPR training for all High School/Charter School students (grade 9-12) as a graduation requirement. Passage of this new law helps to guarantee the next generation of first responders.

In 2016, the Committee successfully trained over 100 LAUSD administrators, staff and school parent center coordinators in both LAUSD District NE and NW. They also trained and certified over 100 West Valley LAPD Cadets to be first responders.

As a result of the Lake Balboa Health & Public Safety Committee’s Free Community CPR program, well over 500 people were trained and certified in 2016.

Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council’s goal is to continue to bring key information, education and service to Lake Balboa to help ensure the safety and well being of all members of their community.