Texas Dealerships Train Staff in CPR to Combat Deadly Cardiac Arrest Crisis

Life-Saving Skills Come to the Showroom Floor

Two Texas automotive dealerships are stepping beyond selling cars to potentially save lives, partnering with the American Heart Association to train their entire staff in hands-only CPR and defibrillator use . City Limits Subaru and Toyota of Cedar Park are working alongside the American Heart Association to make Austin the safest city to have a cardiac arrest .

The initiative reflects a sobering reality about emergency medical situations. In the United States alone, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital each year, and nearly 90% are fatal without prompt intervention . Immediate CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival, yet bystanders intervene about 40% of the time, often because they feel unprepared .

"At City Limits Subaru and Toyota of Cedar Park, we believe being part of this community means showing up in ways that truly matter," said Rachelle Grossman, marketing & community relations director, Toyota of Cedar Park. "As automotive dealerships, safety is part of our everyday conversation" .

Workplace Emergencies Demand Immediate Response

There are about 10,000 cardiac arrests in the workplace each year in the United States, according to a report from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration. With 10,000 cardiac arrests annually in the workplace, knowing this small piece of information has the potential to save thousands of lives .

The dealerships' commitment extends far beyond their immediate employees. "We know this potentially life-saving impact goes far beyond our showroom floor" , Grossman noted. The training ensures that when customers, delivery drivers, or community members visit these busy automotive centers, they're surrounded by people equipped to respond in medical emergencies.

Only 50% of people can locate an automated external defibrillator (AED) at work. Half of all US workers cannot locate an AED at work . This knowledge gap becomes particularly concerning when considering that CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim's chance of survival. Immediate CPR and use of an AED can double, or even triple, survival rates .

Community-Minded Business Leadership

The CPR training initiative represents just one facet of these dealerships' community engagement. Over the past five years, Toyota of Cedar Park has supported United Way Williamson County by raising over $65,000 in 2021 alone with 100% participation from staff . The dealership has also committed to supporting numerous local organizations and causes throughout the Austin area.

Toyota of Cedar Park is the nation's #6 volume Toyota Dealership, where dealer principal Julie Herrera leads a growing team of 350 employees . Under her leadership, the company has established a culture that prioritizes community involvement alongside business success.

Building a Safer Future

The partnership between these dealerships and the American Heart Association represents a growing trend of businesses taking active roles in public health and safety. The American Heart Association trains more than 12 million people in CPR annually, including healthcare professionals and the general public .

As these trained employees return to their communities each day, they carry potentially life-saving skills that extend far beyond the workplace. Whether at family gatherings, sporting events, or neighborhood emergencies, these newly trained responders become part of a broader safety network that could mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

This grassroots approach to emergency preparedness demonstrates how businesses can contribute meaningfully to community well-being while creating safer environments for everyone who walks through their doors.