American Heart Association Launches Telecommunicator CPR Training in Denver

Training aims to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by ensuring rapid, accurate, and effective CPR instructions are delivered over the phone.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The American Heart Association is working to expand Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) training throughout Colorado, starting with Denver. The training program, co-developed with Laerdal Medical, is designed to equip 9-1-1 call takers with the skills to quickly recognize cardiac arrest and provide clear CPR instructions to callers, with the goal of improving survival rates from sudden cardiac emergencies.

Why it matters

Telecommunicators are often the first point of contact in a cardiac emergency, and their ability to guide callers through CPR can significantly increase the chances of survival. By implementing this training program, Denver is taking a proactive step to strengthen its emergency response and serve as a model for other communities across Colorado.

The details

The T-CPR training focuses on rapid recognition of cardiac arrest, delivering clear CPR instructions, reducing delays so CPR can begin quickly, improving caller confidence, and ensuring consistency across jurisdictions. Denver 9-1-1 and Denver Health and Hospital Authority's Paramedic Division have launched the program, which is the first step towards educating telecommunicators statewide with support from BNSF Railway.

  • The T-CPR training program officially began on Feb. 2, 2026, in recognition of American Heart Month.
  • Denver is the first city in Colorado to implement the training program, in the absence of formal state or county requirements.

The players

American Heart Association

A relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, working to expand Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) training throughout Colorado.

Denver 9-1-1

The emergency call center that has launched the T-CPR training program for its call takers.

Denver Health and Hospital Authority's Paramedic Division

The organization that has partnered with Denver 9-1-1 to implement the T-CPR training program.

BNSF Railway

The company providing support for the T-CPR education initiative in Denver, which is the first step towards educating telecommunicators statewide.

Dr. Shea Gilliam

The EMS Medical Director for the Denver Department of Public Safety and a member of the American Heart Association's Colorado Nation of Lifesavers Committee.

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What they’re saying

“Early, high-quality CPR saves lives, and that process begins the moment a 9-1-1 call is answered. By equipping telecommunicators with this training, we are empowering them to guide callers through the most crucial moments of a cardiac arrest and better serve the people of Denver.”

— Dr. Shea Gilliam, EMS Medical Director, Denver Department of Public Safety; Member, American Heart Association's Colorado Nation of Lifesavers Committee (heart.org)

What’s next

The implementation of the T-CPR training program in Denver serves as a model for future expansion across Colorado, helping more communities strengthen their emergency response to cardiac arrest.

The takeaway

By equipping 9-1-1 call takers with specialized training to quickly recognize cardiac arrest and provide clear CPR instructions, the American Heart Association's initiative in Denver aims to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac emergencies and serve as a blueprint for other communities to follow.