Police efforts to teach CPR to save lives

A new initiative by York city police hopes to help save lives.

It was inspired by a real-life rescue on the football field.

When York police commissioner Michael Muldrow saw how Damar Hamlin’s life was saved in the middle of a football game, he got an idea that might save other lives.

Now he is putting his idea into practice — a free class for learning emergency rescue techniques.

The York Police Department is enrolling people in the one-day training program. It will be held later this month at the Logos Academy.

“We felt there was no better gift we could give our community at the right moment at the right time than create even more heroes,” said Muldrow.

Muldrow says people who take the course will be certified in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator use.

He says the training can make a difference in whether someone lives or dies. The police department is teaming up with the fire department, WellSpan Health, and Logos Academy to make it happen on Saturday, Feb. 25, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

There are 30 slots in the training program. Commissioner Muldrow would like to see some teenagers sign up.

“We are going 14 and up. We are going to take any high school age, any young people, anybody from the community,” said Muldrow.

Muldrow says a York city child by the name of Isaiah is alive today because those skills were used by school police and others in a medical emergency at his school.

“We want to make more heroes,” said Muldrow.

You can register for the "Heroes for Hearts" program by emailing jhuncher@yorkcity.org or by contacting York police headquarters.