MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - The Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) held its inaugural Citizens CPR Class last Saturday 5/31/2025). The free training session was part of their ongoing mission to enhance public safety and encourage community involvement in emergency preparedness.

Led by Murfreesboro Fire's Training Coordinator Julia Pitt, the course provided hands-on instruction in hands-only CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage, and choking relief techniques. Participants practiced life-saving techniques using child and adult mannequins under the guidance of certified instructors.

“We’re teaching hands-only CPR, AED use, and the basics to help someone in distress. It’s super important to get community involvement in these situations because seconds matter when it comes to cardiac arrest,” Pitt emphasized.

Pitt highlighted the urgency of immediate intervention in cardiac emergencies, noting that bystander CPR can significantly increase survival rates before first responders arrive.

The department plans to offer the class annually to empower Murfreesboro residents with critical emergency response skills.

“We want to empower our community to step in and help their neighbors,” Pitt said. “This is something we’d like to continue offering to the public.”

National CPR and AED Awareness Week, backed by the American Heart Association, serves as a reminder of the life-saving impact of early CPR intervention. Studies show that immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival after cardiac arrest.

Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department encourages residents to stay informed and prepared by participating in future training opportunities.