Capital City Fire Rescue has finalized its 2025 Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) report, revealing cardiac arrest survival outcomes that exceed both Alaska and national averages.
In 2025, CCFR responded to numerous cardiac arrest incidents, including 26 confirmed out of hospital cardiac arrests. The department achieved an Overall Survival to Discharge rate of 15.4%, surpassing the current national average of 10.5% and the Alaska statewide average of 12.3%.
Most notably, CCFR achieved a 66.7% Utstein Survival Rate, which is the internationally recognized benchmark for witnessed cardiac arrests involving a shockable heart rhythm. This performance is approximately double the current national benchmark of 33.4%.
“These results are a direct reflection of a community that refuses to stand by during an emergency,” said Tom Hatley, Fire Chief of Capital City Fire Rescue. “While our paramedics and EMTs provide advanced medical care, lives are saved because citizens start CPR, dispatchers provide lifesaving instructions, police officers and firefighters arrive quickly, and hospital staff continue that care. This is truly a community wide success story.”
2025 Performance Highlights:
- Bystander CPR Rate: 68.2%, Juneau continues to lead in community intervention, with bystander CPR rates consistently well above national averages.
- Utstein Survival Rate: 66.7%. Double the national benchmark for witnessed cardiac arrests involving shockable rhythms.
- Overall Survival to Discharge: 15.4%. Exceeding both Alaska and national survival averages.
- Neurological Outcomes: 11.5%. Patients discharged with “Good” or “Moderate” neurological performance, allowing survivors to return to their families and daily lives with quality outcomes.
CCFR credits these outcomes to strong partnerships between the community, emergency dispatchers, Juneau Police Department personnel, healthcare providers, and highly trained EMS responders. The department also emphasized the importance of public CPR training and rapid activation of 911 during medical emergencies.
“Every second matters during cardiac arrest,” Hatley said. “The willingness of our community members to step forward and begin CPR before responders arrive continues to make a tremendous difference.”
Residents interested in CPR, AED, and First Aid training opportunities can find upcoming classes through Juneau Pools and the American Red Cross.
For more information, contact Capital City Fire Rescue at 907-586-5322.