INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug. 18, 2025 —More than 10.5 million passengers and 11,000 employees will be better protected and more prepared at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) thanks to a first-of-its-kind cardiac emergency response plan (CERP) developed and implemented by the Indianapolis Airport Authority in conjunction with the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all. A CERP is a written plan that prioritizes early recognition of cardiac emergencies, prompt defibrillation and effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through trained responders and clearly defined protocols.

Beginning this month, the Indianapolis Airport Authority will begin providing free training to all employees and tenants to recognize a cardiac emergency, activate the emergency system and perform CPR. The training will also ensure that employees across the 7,700-acre IND campus and its further airport system in the metropolitan area  know how to use one of the 70 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on site and can implement a formal plan for responding to cardiac emergencies. And the impact goes beyond the airport—once employees and tenants receive this training, they carry those life-saving skills into the community, helping to build a more prepared and resilient public.

The CERP developed by the airport is not only the first of its kind for an airport in the U.S., and represents the largest CERP developed by the American Heart Association.

“The American Heart Association is committed to saving lives and has been a leader in CPR efforts for decades,” said Terri Ruff, president of the Heart Association’s Indianapolis board of directors. “When NFL player Damar Hamlin experienced sudden cardiac arrest on the football field several years ago, the nation witnessed how a well-practiced cardiac emergency response plan saved his life. We want every school, every business, every organization to be prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies as we create a Nation of Lifesavers. We’re thrilled to be able to put a plan like this in place at the Indianapolis airport.”

In addition to implementing the components of the CERP, the airport will use this opportunity to share “stop the bleed” training with its employees - a national awareness campaign that teaches individuals how to recognize and respond quickly to life-threatening bleeding emergencies.

“Developing a CERP with the American Heart Association is one more tool to help us keep every passenger, employee and visitor at the airport safe 24 hours a day,” said Fred Pervine, Chief of the Indianapolis International Airport Fire Department. “This effort reflects the IND public safety team’s deep commitment to preparation, training, and having the right equipment in hand. It’s about empowering our entire airport community with life-saving skills—from our own staff to thousands of tenant employees like those at FedEx. We’re grateful to Indiana University Health for delivering the high-quality training that makes this possible.”

Immediate CPR is a critical step in the chain of response to a sudden cardiac arrest, circulating oxygen through the body until EMS arrives. At IND, 70% of the department’s calls are medical calls with an average response time of six minutes or less 90% of the time. The IAA’s public safety teams have consistently achieved a survival rate of over 60%, which significantly surpasses the national average.

Those critical first minutes of CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. When an automated external defibrillator (AED) is also used, the chance of survival increases even more.

The American Heart Association launched Nation of Lifesavers with a goal of doubling the survival of cardiac arrest by 2030.

Earlier this year, the Association led lobbying efforts at the Indiana statehouse to pass a law requiring all schools in the state to develop CERPs that will include plans for extracurricular activities such as sporting events, marching band contests and more. The Association shared resources with schools so plans could be in place this school year. The initiative at the airport is the next step to building a Nation of Lifesavers.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About the Indianapolis Airport Authority

The Indianapolis Airport Authority owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. In addition to the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), its facilities include the Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport-Gordon Graham Field, Indianapolis Regional Airport and Metropolitan Airport. IND generates a $7.5 billion total annual economic impact to the state of Indiana – without relying on state or local taxes to fund operations. The IAA is a “Best Place to Work in Indiana.” More than 11,000 people work at the airport each day, and nearly 54,000 jobs statewide have a connection to the airport. In 2024, IND served more than 10.5 million business and leisure travelers. IND is consistently ranked, year after year, as the best airport in North America and the nation based on ease of use, passenger amenities, customer service, local retail offerings and public art. The airport is home to the world’s second-largest FedEx operation and the nation’s eighth-largest cargo facility. To join the award-winning team, visit IND.com/Careers.

For Media Inquiries:

Tim Harms: tim.harms@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org