CONTACT: Jason Kannon for IMMEDIATE RELEASE s2

CONTACT: Jason Kannon FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Creative Partners 203.705.9203 [email protected]

FIRST COUNTY BANK AND STAMFORD EMS TO OFFER HANDS-ONLY CPR CLASSES -- Saturdays Starting April 2 Through May 14 --

STAMFORD, Conn., March 21, 2011 -- First County Bank and Stamford Emergency Medical Services Inc. will offer free compression-only CPR classes on Saturdays April 2 through May 14 at alternating bank branches in Stamford and Darien. Recent studies have shown it only takes 60 seconds to learn how to save a life. The hands-only form of cardio pulmonary resuscitation can keep blood flowing in a patient whose heart has suddenly stopped. Each year, nearly 300,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the United States and Canada. Survival rates from these events tend to be woefully low. CPR performed by a bystander can double – even triple – survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. But very few people attempt resuscitation, with CPR started only 25 to 30 percent of the time. Studies are showing that chest compression-only CPR, also known as hands-only CPR, is as effective as standard CPR with mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Because of its simplicity, hands-only CPR may be quicker and easier for lay rescuers to learn and remember. Hands-only CPR involves putting one’s hands in the center of the chest and pushing down hard and fast, compressing at least two inches deep and at least 100 beats per minute. As an easy guide, compress to the rhythm of the Bee Gees 1970s disco hit, “Stayin Alive.” “First County Bank is proud to offer this important community service for customers and visitors to our Stamford and Darien branches,” Rey Giallongo, president of First County Bank, said. “We’re excited about our partnership with Stamford EMS and its teams of licensed professionals. People who participate in these 5-minute demonstrations at our branches could potentially save the life of someone they know.”

-- more -- HANDS-ONLY CPR – Page Two

Below is the schedule for the upcoming compression-only CPR classes at First County Bank branches being held on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Date First County Bank Location April 2 275 Hope St., Stamford April 9 2950 Summer St., Stamford April 16 1042 High Ridge Rd., Stamford April 23 1110 Hope St., Stamford April 30 1980 West Main St., Stamford May 7 637 Shippan Ave., Stamford May 14 1006 Post Rd., Darien

Tips on compression-only CPR from the American Heart Association: 1. Check the scene for safety; then tap the person and shout, “Are you OK?” 2. Call 911 or have someone call 911 if the person does not respond. 3. Open the airway by lifting the chin and tilting the head back. Look, listen and feel for breathing. 4. If the person is not breathing normally, prepare to give compressions. Place the heel of one hand in the middle of the chest. Place the other hand on top and lace the fingers together. Keep your arms straight and position your shoulders directly above your hands. 5. Push down hard and fast. Compress at least two inches deep, at least 100 per minute (to the tempo of “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees). Lift your hands slightly each time to allow chest wall to recoil. When you tire, take turns with others until paramedics arrive. 6. Do not stop until EMTs or an automated external defibrillator arrives, you are too exhausted or the scene becomes unsafe. Don’t be afraid. Your actions can only help. Stamford EMS is the sole provider of emergency medical services for the City of Stamford, Conn., encompassing 38 square miles with a population of approximately 120,000. SEMS also provides contracted paramedic intercept response to Darien Emergency Medical Services. For more information on hands-only CPR, please visit www.handsonlycpr.org. First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn., is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, trust and investment services, business banking services and online banking. First County Bank, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, has more than 200 employees and assets in excess of $1.3 billion. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com. # # #