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Mitchell named a ‘cardiac‑ready community’; city highlights AED access and training
Summary
City officials and United Way representatives told the City Council that Mitchell has been recognized by state and national health groups as a 'cardiac‑ready community' after placing 27 AEDs in public buildings and expanding CPR training; signs and QR codes will mark AED locations across town.
Mitchell officials announced the city has been recognized as a "cardiac‑ready community" by the state Department of Health and the American Heart Association, citing years of investment in automated external defibrillators and CPR training.
"This is a big accomplishment," Brandon Manchester told the City Council as he outlined the program. He said the city has purchased 27 AEDs and placed at least one device in every public building the city owns, including multiple units at the Corn Palace and ice arena.
Ashley Hobbs of the Mitchell United Way said the organization is helping produce signage and a website to make AED locations easier to find. "A lot of people just do not know where AEDs are located," Hobbs said, adding the signage will include QR codes linking to location information.
Officials described recurring CPR training offered locally — Manchester said city employees receive CPR and first‑aid training on a two‑year rotation — and gave examples of lives saved when bystanders used CPR and AEDs before an ambulance arrived.
The presentation said AEDs retail at about $1,700 and require periodic replacement or maintenance of battery pads; council members thanked staff and volunteers for the investment.
City staff said the recognition is the result of a multi‑year partnership among the Mitchell Fire Department, the Rec Center and the United Way, and that the community is the first city in South Dakota with population over 10,000 to receive the award, according to the presentation.
No formal vote was required for the recognition; staff said they will install visible AED stickers on participating businesses and erect signs in public locations as part of the rollout.
