TWAIN HARTE, CA:  In Spring of 2023, the Twain Harte Community Services District (District) and Twain Harte Fire Department (THFD) proudly completed the Twain Harte Heart Start Program. Grant funded by the Sonora Area Foundation, this community project strategically placed Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in high foot traffic areas in Twain Harte, allowing for quicker deployment of an AED if someone were in need. Each business location where the AEDs were placed received CPR/AED training for their staff members and state-of-the-art CPR manikins and AED trainers.

District General Manager (GM) Tom Trott and Chief Gamez came up with the idea for this program after an annual review of the District’s strategic plan where they were exploring creative ways to further promote safety within our District.

Chief Gamez described an incident at a local business when a patron collapsed and stopped breathing. An off-duty police officer on the next aisle heard the commotion, went to see what was happening, and began CPR. Thankfully, the patron had regained a pulse by the time THFD arrived at the scene. “That incident always stuck in my mind when it came to ‘right place at the right time’ for the person in need, but it also brought up the question, how can we add another layer of protection to those who reside and visit Twain Harte?” asked Gamez. “When the opportunity presented itself for a grant to fund this project potentially, GM Trott and I were so excited to see it come to life in our great mountain community.”

Chief Neil Gamez and Twain Harte Area Community Emergency Response Team (THA-CERT) worked together this spring to bring additional training opportunities to the District staff and another free workshop open to all members of the community. Both sessions were taught by Michelle Wagner and Randie Revilla. Michelle is a retired law enforcement Tactical EMT, and Randie is a retired Paramedic/Captain from the fire service. In addition to being active members of THA-CERT, both work for a security training company offering classes in a wide variety of topics, one of which is CPR & AED

The current locations of these AEDs are: 

• The Local Press,
• Twain Harte Cal Fire Station
• Twain Harte Lumber
• Twain Harte Pharmacy
• Twain Harte Market