Forsyth Celebrates Lifesaving Rescue, Community AED Program Expands
Forsyth County leaders and volunteers gathered November 14 to honor a successful out of hospital cardiac arrest resuscitation tied to the countys 4 Minute Community Program. The ceremony highlighted how trained citizen volunteers equipped with Avive Connect AEDs and integrated dispatching with 911 are bringing early defibrillation to neighborhoods, a step that can raise survival odds for local residents.
A November 14 ceremony in Forsyth County recognized a lifesaving rescue that unfolded this summer and showcased a local effort to shorten the time to defibrillation for cardiac arrest victims. In July 2025 a CARE team volunteer used an Avive Connect automated external defibrillator to help resuscitate local resident Vince Warren, an outcome county leaders said prompted public celebration and renewed focus on community preparedness.
The success is tied to the countys participation in the 4 Minute Community Program, which trains citizen volunteers known as CARE team members, issues them Avive Connect AEDs, and integrates volunteer dispatching with the 911 system so that nearby volunteers can be alerted and bring an AED to a scene before emergency medical crews arrive. Representatives from Northside Hospital Forsyth, the Northside Hospital Foundation, the Northside Hospital Heart Institute, Avive Solutions and Forsyth County public safety attended the event to honor volunteers and underscore the partnership.
Early defibrillation is widely recognized as a critical determinant of survival after sudden cardiac arrest, and the program aims to expand access to that lifesaving intervention across neighborhoods where ambulances may take longer to arrive. Organizers described the initiative as a way to mobilize trained community members as an extension of the emergency response system, improving the chances that someone experiencing cardiac arrest will receive a shock as quickly as possible.
For Forsyth residents the program adds a layer of community resilience. Trained volunteers gain hands on skills and devices to respond in their neighborhoods, while families and workplaces gain reassurance that more people and devices will be nearby if a cardiac emergency occurs. County officials invited residents to learn about the Forsyth County 4 Minute Community Program and how to become a CARE team member, noting that expanded participation will be essential if the program is to deliver faster access to defibrillation countywide.
