fbpx
Stevens Point firefighters hang a heart during the first annual "Keep the Heart Red" campaign in 2022. (Metro Wire photo)

First responders prep for second annual ‘Keeping the HEART Red’ program

By Brandi Makuski

The Stevens Point Fire Department and Portage County Ambulance Service are “Keeping The HEART Red” for American Heart Month, which is February.

The brainchild of Lt. Shane Westphal from SPFD, the program is similar to the Christmastime “Keep the Wreath Green” promotion, which draws attention to the dangers of structure fires.

On Jan. 28, members at SPFD will hang a large wood heart adorned with red bulbs at Station 1, 1701 Franklin St.

While the program was launched by SPFD, it will cover all of Portage Co. For each cardiac arrest or heart attack reported by the county’s ambulance service, which has hubs in Stevens Point, Plover, and Amherst, a red bulb on the heart will be replaced with a black bulb.

A news release from SPFD said the promotion is designed to be a reminder of the importance of heart health.

The department will be sharing a number sharing videos and public education pieces throughout the month, featuring hands-only CPR, the PulsePoint app, and discussing heart-healthy foods and activities. The program runs six weeks, ending on March 4.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital every year.

Fire Chief Jb Moody has said in Portage Co., paramedics respond to anywhere from 1-9 heart attacks or cardiac arrests every six weeks.

The promotion begins on Jan. 28.