Detroit Fire Department provides CPR & AED training to KRONK Gym staff

• KRONK team becomes HEARTSafe in the ring and beyond
• Residents can sign up for CPR/AED training at: detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-fire-department/community-cpr
  

In a proactive initiative to bolster public cardiac emergency preparation, the Detroit Fire Department (DFD) Training Division conducted a comprehensive CPR and AED training session this week for employees of the soon-to-open KRONK Gym, inside the newly-renovated Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center. The training supports the City of Detroit's status as a nationally recognized HEARTSafe Community and underscores the shared commitment to life-saving readiness in workplaces and public venues.

"Knowing CPR and being able to use an AED - that knowledge can literally mean the difference between life and death," said Chuck Simms, Executive Fire Commissioner for DFD. "As the largest municipality to earn the HEARTSafe designation, this city and its workforce are rising to the challenge. We're proud Detroit is leading the way in cardiac-emergency preparation."

Lt. Caitlin Mercer of Detroit Fire Department's Training Division instructs KRONK staff on how to perform high-quality CPR and use an AED.

Data from the 2024 CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) Annual Report positions Detroit as one of the most improved cities in the nation when it comes to saving lives from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The CARES registry tracks critical outcomes in cardiac arrest cases, and one of its most meaningful benchmarks is the Utstein Survival Record: a standard measurement of how often communities save people whose cardiac arrest was witnessed by a bystander and involved a shockable rhythm.

• In 2015, Detroit's Utstein survival rate was just 8.2%.
• In 2024, that number tripled to 25.0%.
• Among patients who received bystander CPR or AED use, survival reached an outstanding 39.5%.

"Bystander CPR is essential to survival rates," said Detroit Fire Department Medical Director Robert Dunne. "Every second counts when a person experiences a cardiac emergency. CPR and AED training are key as we continue to drive measurable change in cardiac arrest survival outcomes here in Detroit."

KRONK employees Kole Bishop and Hannah Beachum practice chest compressions and rescue breaths after instruction from Lt. Mercer, using DFD manikins.

Training at the KRONK Gym session included CPR instruction, operation of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and scenario-based drills focused on a fitness-facility environment. The session was delivered by DFD's Training Division as part of Detroit's HEARTSafe initiative, which promotes widespread citizen CPR training and accessible AED placement.

"Businesses and residents alike don't need to wait until an emergency happens," said Jamal Mickles, Chief of the DFD Training Division. "We invite all Detroit organizations and individuals to take advantage of our free CPR training sessions either at the Detroit Fire Training Academy or on-site at your location. Your commitment today could save a life tomorrow."

KRONK CEO Paul Bhatti learns how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator). Most AEDs come with audible directions to guide users through the process.

Paul Bhatti, CEO of KRONK Gym, joined the event. "We are deeply appreciative to the Detroit Fire Department for coming out and equipping our staff with these vital skills," said Bhatti. "As we prepare to open our doors in this new location, it's reassuring to know our team is fully certified in CPR and AED use and ready to respond and help keep our community safe."

About KRONK Gym and its Detroit Return

The original KRONK Gym, founded by legendary trainer Emanuel Steward in Detroit, earned global renown for producing multiple world‐champion fighters including Thomas "Hitman" Hearns. November 2025, the gym will reopen inside the historic Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center (670 Wilkins Street), a facility with a rich legacy in Detroit boxing history: longtime training site for champions such as Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson. The new KRONK location features modern training equipment and youth outreach programs, reviving the legacy of athletic excellence and community engagement right here in Detroit.

About Detroit's HEARTSafe Community Designation

The HEARTSafe Community designation, created by the Citizen CPR Foundation, is awarded to municipalities that demonstrate strong preparedness in cardiac arrest response, including widespread CPR education, accessible AEDs, and coordination between citizen responders and professional emergency services. On August 27, 2024, Detroit officially became the largest city in the U.S. to earn HEARTSafe Community status, recognizing the cumulative efforts of more than 100,000 citizens trained in CPR and the placement of more than 500 AEDs across the city.

Next Steps & Training Opportunities

Residents and organizations interested in free CPR and AED training through the Detroit Fire Department may sign up online for sessions at the DFD Training Academy or request on-site training services. Contact the DFD Training Division for scheduling and details, or click this link: detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-fire-department/community-cpr.