In an inspiring turn of events, the city of McKinney, Texas, has made remarkable strides in improving survival rates for cardiac arrest victims over the past two years. Through a collaborative initiative involving the local fire and police departments, as well as the active participation of its citizens, McKinney has transformed its emergency response capabilities.
Just two years ago, individuals experiencing a cardiac arrest in McKinney had a mere 10 percent chance of survival, a statistic that mirrored many cities across the United States. Today, that survival rate has soared to an impressive 47 percent. This achievement is attributed to an innovative partnership between the McKinney Fire Department and the McKinney Police Department, drawing inspiration from successful models implemented in Seattle.
With the current success rate surpassing the national average of 30 percent and approaching Seattle’s leading survival rate of 50 percent, McKinney is taking further steps to enhance community preparedness. The city is rolling out a program to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) directly in neighborhoods, aiming to shorten response times for emergencies throughout the community.
McKinney is on its way to becoming one of the first “4-Minute Cities” in the nation, ensuring that an AED is always within four minutes of any cardiac incident. The initiative was kickstarted by Fire Battalion Chief Ben Jones, who sent a team to the Resuscitation Academy in Seattle in late 2024. They returned with a strategic plan to implement essential elements of the “chain of survival,” which includes rapid recognition of emergencies, immediate CPR, quick access to AEDs, and prompt transport to medical facilities.
Recognizing that every minute counts—where each minute of waiting can reduce survival chances by 10 percent—McKinney has equipped over 80 AEDs in all police vehicles, including patrol, traffic, and neighborhood units. A friendly rivalry between fire and police teams has contributed to a cultural shift focused on saving lives, with nine local residents successfully revived in just the past year.
The city is now launching its Neighborhood Heroes campaign, which will deploy an additional 200 AEDs, empowering residents to act as first responders during cardiac emergencies in their neighborhoods.
While some police officers were initially doubtful, many have become staunch advocates after witnessing the life-saving impact of their efforts. “It’s a really interesting shift in mindset for police officers, and they bought into it,” remarked Fire Chief Paul Dowtold.
Jones emphasized the importance of having AEDs accessible in every corner of the community, and the fire department is prepared to train eligible residents to use them effectively. In recognition of its groundbreaking work, the American Heart Association has selected McKinney’s “4-Minute City” model to be featured in its Heart Health Month campaign, showcasing the city’s dedication to enhancing community-based resuscitation efforts.
This remarkable story from McKinney serves as an inspiring example for cities across the nation. Let’s spread the word and encourage others to follow suit!
