Cascade Medical to host free CPR classes in 2026

LEAVENWORTH — Cascade Medical’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department is offering three free community CPR classes in 2026.

The first class is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Leavenworth Fire Station Community Room, located at 228 Chumstick Highway. Two more classes will be held at the same time and location on April 22 and Sept. 30.

Starting CPR quickly can double or triple the chances of survival of someone suffering from a cardiac arrest. The classes are available to anyone interested in learning to save a life – from adults to children as young as eight years old. Those interested in attending a CPR class can send an email to cpr@cascademedical.org to sign up. Class size is limited to 20 people.

The instruction will cover cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, which use chest compressions to keep blood flowing after someone's heart stops beating. It will incorporate new CPR guidelines released by the American Heart Association this year.

The class also provides an introduction and overview of the automated external defibrillators (AEDs), devices that can help restart a heart that has stopped. Upper Valley residents, employees and business owners are encouraged to attend and familiarize themselves with where to access devices and how to use them.

According to a map provided by Cascade Medical Foundation (CMF), nearly 50 AEDs are placed in businesses, schools, and community spaces across the Upper Valley. Nearly 30 AEDs throughout Leavenworth have been purchased and installed over the last several years under a community AED project led by Cascade Medical with the help of CMF and other community partners.

As part of the ongoing community AED campaign, CMF is raising money to purchase additional AEDs; it hopes to purchase at least two more early next year. Donations made to CMF through Give NCW this year will go towards these efforts.

Give NCW is an online fundraising campaign led by the Community Foundation of NCW that supports nonprofits throughout the region. The giving campaign starts on Thanksgiving and runs through Dec. 31 each year. Donations can be made at www.GiveNCW.org.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media