Mayor, City Council, City Manager Debra Figone, Fire Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld, Captain Chavez
This is a letter of support for the Heart Safe City Program as described in the March 2007 Mayor’s Budget message. The Mayor directed the city manager during the March 2007 budget message to develop a plan to meet the criteria for San Jose to become a Heart Safe City. The Heart Safe City Program is a San Jose Fire Department initiated program.
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) represents residents living in the Willow Glen area. The WGNA Association generally concentrates its efforts for local matters in an area roughly bounded Interstate I-280 on the north to Foxworthy Avenue on the south and from Leigh Avenue on the west to the Guadalupe Freeway to the east. The association was formed in 1973 and focuses its efforts on matters such as land use, planning, traffic, public safety, open space, parks and recreation and activities for its members.
The WGNA will work with the San Jose Fire Department and the Heart Safe City Program to promote the safety and welfare of the citizens of Willow Glen though training and education.
The Heart Safe City Program specifically will train and educate citizens to provide immediate care for a Cardiac Arrest victim until the San Jose Fire Department arrives to take over patient care. The program is an excellent way for the community and its citizens to watch out and care for each other. The program is a step in providing emergency response teams within the neighborhoods.
The WGNA can assist the Heart Safe City Program by scheduling a training for its members at the May 13, 2009 general Meeting.
WGNA has worked in the past with San Jose Fire department on staffing issues at the neighborhood fire station and most recently worked with the city staff on a new fire station in the area.
For additional information you may contact Ed Rast, Chair, Public Safety and Transportation Sub-Committee Chairman at (408)297-2800, edrast.sanjose @gmail.com.
Ed Rast