Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Sedgwick County 911 urges callers to call immediately and follow dispatcher CPR instructions
Loading...
Summary
Sedgwick County 911 staff urged residents to call 911 at the first sign of cardiac arrest, saying dispatchers are CPR-certified, trained by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch, and will guide callers step-by-step until EMS arrives.
Sedgwick County 911 staff urged residents to call 911 immediately if someone collapses or shows signs of cardiac arrest, saying dispatchers will give real-time CPR instructions until emergency medical services arrive. "When you call 911, trained emergency communication specialists don't just send help, they stay with you on the line and guide you step by step through CPR until EMS arrives," a Sedgwick County 911 staff member said.
The announcement stressed the urgency of early intervention: "When someone's heart stops, every second matters," the staff member said, noting that bystanders with no CPR training can be overwhelmed in an emergency. The county's dispatch team is "CPR certified and specially trained through the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch to assess patients over the phone and provide instructions tailored to the situation, including guidance based on age, medical conditions, or unique circumstances," the staff member added.
Officials described a "wall of hearts" that honors staff who have provided dispatcher-guided CPR instructions and lists the ages of patients assisted, "reflecting lives touched at every stage from a 1 month old infant to older adults." The county framed that display as a visual reminder of the range of emergencies dispatchers help manage.
Staff emphasized simple steps callers should take: call 911 right away, put your phone on speaker, and follow the dispatcher's instructions so lifesaving care can begin before responders arrive. "Starting CPR before first responders arrive greatly improve[s] the chance of survival," the staff member said, adding reassurance that dispatchers remain on the line throughout the response.
The message focused on immediate, practical guidance rather than policy or funding changes. The recording closed with the staff member reiterating that in the first critical moments after collapse, dispatchers will remain on the line to help.
