Forest River, Inc. Expands Safety Investment with AED Installations at 120 Facilities

ELKHART, Ind. — Forest River, Inc., has announced it is in the process of installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in 120 of its facilities across its operations, reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to employee health and safety.

Each of the 120 facilities will have at least one team member certified in AED and CPR response, equipping trained responders to act quickly should a cardiac emergency take place. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the company’s Safety and Human Resources teams and includes both equipment placement and hands-on training.

“At Forest River, people come first, and looking out for one another is more than a statement, it’s a responsibility,” said David Youman, Chief Compliance Officer. “By strategically placing AEDs where our people work and training responders how to use them, we’re strengthening our ability to act quickly when every second matters in a cardiac event.”

Sudden cardiac arrest can occur without warning and remains a leading cause of workplace medical emergencies. According to the American Heart Association, approximately 10,000 cardiac arrests occur in the workplace each year. Survival rates decrease significantly with every minute of delay in defibrillation, while immediate use of an AED within the first minute can dramatically improve survival outcomes.

Industry research also indicates that more than half of employees do not know where their workplace AED is located. Forest River’s initiative prioritizes both accessibility and awareness, so employees understand where devices are located and how fast they respond in the event of a cardiac emergency.

“Although we hope these resources are never needed, our facilities are prepared to respond should the need arise,” Youman said. “The possibility of saving even one life is reason enough to make this investment.”

Forest River plans to expand AED placement in additional facilities and scale responder certifications as the rollout continues.

About Forest River, Inc. 

Founded in 1996 by Pete Liegl, Forest River, Inc. has evolved into North America’s largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles, cargo trailers, pontoon boats, buses, vans, and commercial vehicles. Its portfolio includes market share leaders in every category, and it is the country’s leading manufacturer of buses and vans for both the private and public sectors. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, Forest River employs 14,000+ employees in 100+ facilities in more than a half dozen states. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on customer satisfaction, Forest River is proud to be a Berkshire Hathaway company.