Lexington launches AED mapping push to speed cardiac arrest response

Lexington, Kentucky, is kicking off a public safety campaign with Cardiac Crusade and local partners to map more than 1,000 AEDs across Fayette County. The effort, backed by Gov. Andy Beshear, aims to make devices instantly visible to 911 dispatchers and improve survival in sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.

Why it matters: - Sudden cardiac arrest kills more than 350,000 people a year in the U.S., and national survival rates average about 10%. - When an AED shock is delivered within 60 seconds, survival can rise to 90%. - Lexington officials and partners want to make AEDs easier for dispatchers and bystanders to find before the next emergency.

What happened: - The City of Lexington, Cardiac Crusade, the Lexington Fire Department, e911, UK HealthCare and the American Heart Association are launching “Restart a Heart: Lexington.” - Gov. Andy Beshear endorsed the effort and urged Lexington residents to download the PulsePoint AED (NEAR) app and visit Cardiac Crusade’s website for more information. - The campaign aims to map more than 1,000 AEDs across Lexington and Fayette County on the PulsePoint database. - Lexington leaders will hold a news conference Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. EDT at Fire Station 1, 219 E. Third Street. - The public launch event is set for Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT at West Sixth Brewing, 501 West Sixth Street.

The details: - AEDs submitted online will first appear on the map in “grey” status. - Trained volunteer verifiers will then confirm the device location in person. - Verified devices turn “gold,” which makes them fully active for 911 dispatchers. - The Oct. 5 news conference will feature Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, Lexington Fire Department representatives, UK HealthCare representatives, Cardiac Crusade Lexington lead Sarah Katzenmaier and CPR hero Charlotte Callan. - Supporters listed for the event include e911, the American Heart Association, Lexington City Council members and Cardiac CATS volunteers. - The Oct. 16 launch will include speeches from sudden cardiac arrest survivors and medical leaders, volunteer sign-ups, campaign recognitions and a hybrid auction with items from University of Kentucky sports teams. - Free tickets and registration are available at campaign registration. - Businesses and property managers can submit AEDs through the same campaign page. - Volunteers can complete a free 25-minute online course to become certified verifiers, or “Cardiac CATS.” - Sponsors can support volunteer kits, signage and outreach materials.

Between the lines: - Cardiac Crusade is using a proven mapping model it says has worked in other cities, including San Diego, where more than 2,600 AEDs are mapped and integrated into 911 dispatching. - The organization says its volunteer network has verified more than 12,000 AEDs nationwide and that the effort has helped save lives. - Sarah Katzenmaier is leading the local push after surviving sudden cardiac arrest during Lexington’s Thriller Parade in 2021. - Charlotte Callan performed CPR for nearly 10 minutes until paramedics arrived after Katzenmaier collapsed outside the Kentucky Theatre. - The Kentucky Theatre did not have an AED at the time, and Fred Mills has since added one. - Katzenmaier said Lexington had 25 verified AEDs in January, more than 125 today, and a goal of more than 1,100 by Valentine’s Day 2027. - Callan said CPR buys time, while AEDs restore life.

What’s next: - Lexington leaders are pushing business owners, property managers and community spaces to register AEDs before the campaign kickoff. - Volunteer verifiers will begin confirming device locations once submissions come in. - The campaign will use the Oct. 16 launch to build public participation, recruit volunteers and raise support for the mapping effort.

The bottom line: - Lexington is trying to turn hidden AEDs into a citywide emergency network, with the goal of speeding response times and improving survival when every second counts.