According to East Pierce Assistant Chief Russ McCallion, it comes as no surprise a citizen from this region was able to perform CPR and help save a life.

“Half of all patients who collapse in cardiac arrest in East Pierce receive citizen CPR – double or triple the rate of the rest of the country,” he said in a press release.

East Pierce Fire and Rescue offers CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and basic first aid classes up to three times a month, free of charge to residents living within the East Pierce fire district, including Sumner, Bonney Lake, Lake Tapps, Edgewood, Wilkeson and South Prairie.

The cost for nonresidents is $30 for either a CPR or First Aid class, or $45 for both.

Last year, East Pierce taught CPR to nearly 850 citizens. In addition, more than 2,000 middle- and high-school students received CPR instruction at school from East Pierce firefighters as part of an annual student program.

“Citizen CPR doubles the chance of survival for cardiac arrest victims,” McCallion said. “Learning CPR can make the difference between life and death.”

Anyone interested in taking the class can call the fire department at 253-863-1800 during regular business hours to register.

Drowning prevention is another major effort for the fire department.

“Preventing a drowning can be as easy as wearing a life jacket,” said East Pierce Public Education Specialist Dina Sutherland.

East Pierce offers free, Coast Guard-approved life jacket loaners at both North Lake Tapps and Allan Yorke parks and at the headquarters station. A valid driver’s license is required to receive a loaner jacket. New, discounted life jackets are also available for purchase at the fire station located at 18421 Old Buckley Highway, in Bonney Lake.

For more information visit www.eastpiercefire.org.