To increase community preparedness in emergencies, the Minot Fire Department is extending an offer to provide free Family and Friends CPR/AED classes to businesses or other groups interested in noncertification training.

Fire Inspector Stuart Hammer, who handles the department’s education programs, said the department has offered the basic course to city employees and is willing to train others. The hour-long course provides education on CPR techniques and AED operation.

Hammer said instilling basic knowledge among laypersons has proven valuable around the country, making dramatic differences in saving lives.

Having more community residents trained also would support Minot’s efforts to obtain the Cardiac Ready Community designation through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

“We are not anywhere near that yet. That’s a long-term goal and one that would be very nice to attain,” Hammer said.

The program seeks to strengthen community-based capacity for cardiac and stroke emergency response and support risk-reduction efforts throughout the state.