McKinney, Texas Boosts Cardiac Survival Rates from 10% to 47%

City's fire and police departments partner with citizens to improve emergency response and access to defibrillators.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Over the past two years, the city of McKinney, Texas has significantly improved cardiac arrest survival rates through a coordinated effort between its fire and police departments, and now its citizens. The city's cardiac survival rate has surged from 10% to 47% by rapidly deploying automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in police vehicles and neighborhoods, training residents as first responders, and fostering collaboration between emergency services.

Why it matters

McKinney's success highlights the potential impact of community-based resuscitation efforts. By empowering citizens and improving emergency response, the city has far exceeded the national average cardiac survival rate of 30% and is closing in on the leading rate of 50% in Seattle. This model demonstrates how local communities can take proactive steps to save lives in medical emergencies.

The details

McKinney installed over 80 AEDs in police vehicles and is now deploying 200 more in a new 'Neighborhood Heroes' campaign to place defibrillators within 4 minutes of any cardiac event in the city. The fire department is training eligible residents to serve as first responders. A friendly competition between fire and police teams has further fueled the life-saving culture shift, with 9 residents revived in the past year.

  • Two years ago, McKinney's cardiac arrest survival rate was just 10%.
  • Today, the survival rate has surged to 47%.

The players

McKinney Fire Department

The fire department that launched the cardiac program, sending a team to train at the Resuscitation Academy in Seattle and then replicating key components of their 'chain of survival' approach.

McKinney Police Department

The police department that has partnered with the fire department, installing over 80 AEDs in patrol, traffic, and neighborhood vehicles to improve emergency response.

Ben Jones

The Fire Battalion Chief who launched the cardiac program and is now leading the effort to train eligible residents as first responders.

Paul Dow

The Fire Chief who noted the 'interesting shift in mindset' as police officers became 'true believers' after saving lives themselves.

American Heart Association

The organization that has selected the McKinney Fire Department's '4-Minute City' model to represent its Heart Health Month campaign, highlighting the city's leadership in community-based resuscitation.

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What’s next

The American Heart Association has selected the McKinney Fire Department's '4-Minute City' model to represent its Heart Health Month campaign this month, highlighting the city's leadership in community-based resuscitation.

The takeaway

McKinney's success in dramatically improving cardiac survival rates through a collaborative effort between emergency services and engaged citizens serves as a model for other communities to emulate. By empowering residents and improving access to life-saving equipment, local governments can make a tangible difference in public health outcomes.