Italian towns Ariccia and Prato boost cardio‑protection training and defibrillator deployment

In Ariccia, the "Ariccia Cardioprotetta" project expanded its network of trained first‑aid responders on 16 May with a new BLSD (Basic Life Support Defibrillation) session at Palazzo Chigi. The programme, created by cardiologist Dr. Alessandro Cavalieri, added more local police, municipal employees and other volunteers to the list of operators able to use semi‑automatic defibrillators, and it is developing a smartphone app to locate the nearest device during emergencies.

Three days later in Prato, the local health initiative joined forces with the regional NGO "Regalami un sorriso" and the Questura to deliver two defibrillators and conduct a first‑aid lesson for police officers. Both towns aim to create a more rapid, community‑wide response to cardiac emergencies through training and equipment distribution.