Carrollton Neighbors Use AED Network to Save Man’s Life

The rescue was part of the 4 Minute Community Program, an initiative that deploys Avive Connect AED devices to trained volunteers known as CARE Team members. When the patient’s wife called 911, the dispatch system simultaneously pinged nearby devices. Twelve people received the alert; five responded immediately. Chris and Chandra Cralle arrived first, followed by Christine Callander, David Depew, and Stephen Cutshaw. Alongside Carrollton Police Officer Steven Brooks, the group stabilized the patient, maintained high-quality CPR, and cleared a path for the arriving ambulance.

The effort extended beyond medical intervention. While some volunteers managed the patient's care, others walked the family dog and gathered essential medications, providing support to the man's wife during the crisis. Mayor Steve Babick noted that the program utilizes neighbors as first responders, allowing for life-saving action in the minutes before fire crews can reach a scene. Carrollton has integrated over 100 AEDs throughout the city to support this rapid-response network. For local officials, the successful resuscitation serves as a benchmark for the program’s goal: transforming neighborhoods into active, equipped safety nets where emergency response begins long before the sirens arrive.