Sterling Heights — In a presentation at the Jan. 6 City Council meeting, Fire Chief Kevin Edmond honored two residents who survived cardiac arrest and recognized the paramedics and bystanders who provided lifesaving care.

Chief Edmond described the survival-chain importance of early CPR and prompt first-responder action, noting that roughly 300,000 people suffer cardiac arrest annually and about 90% of those incidents are fatal without intervention. He said one patient required multiple shocks and had an approximately "80% blockage" before care restored his heartbeat. Edmond announced plans to install three outdoor AED cabinets — at Dodge Park, Baumgartner Park and Delia Park — to improve public access to defibrillation.

Family members and bystanders addressed the council. One attendee who called 911 described the responders as operating "with surgical precision" and said, "were it not for them, I know for a fact my husband would not be alive today." Councilmembers praised firefighters and paramedics and highlighted the department’s ongoing CPR training offerings; the city website lists registration for upcoming classes.

What happens next: The fire chief said the city will add three AED cabinets and continue to promote CPR instruction; council discussed options to subsidize classes for residents who cannot afford the fee.