Local police participating in initiative to improve cardiac arrest survival
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Monday, March 1, 2010
Bellevue, Kent Police vehicles will carry defibrillators, respond to calls
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 KING COUNTY, WA - To help improve cardiac arrest survival in King County, the Bellevue and Kent Police Departments will be participating in a two-year initiative that will equip patrol vehicles with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and dispatch them to cardiac arrest calls along with emergency medical responders.
Led by Public Health – Seattle & King County's Emergency Medical Services Division and supported by the Washington State Life Sciences Discovery Fund, the initiative is designed to see if having an additional responder that may get to and start resuscitation on people quicker will improve community cardiac arrest survival rates. "King County has among the world's best cardiac arrest survival rates, but we're continuing to look for ways to save more lives," said Dr. Mickey Eisenberg, Medical Director for King County Emergency Medical Services Division of Public Health – Seattle & King County. "Shortening the time to receiving the first defibrillation is critical to improving chances for survival, so including nearby police in the emergency response chain is a promising approach." "I'm really pleased that the Bellevue Police Department was chosen as a partner to implement this pilot program. Since heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S., the possibility of saving more lives in Bellevue by having portable AEDs in the hands of our officers is very exciting," said Bellevue Police Chief Linda Pillo. "Our officers are looking forward to being able to provide this vital service to our residents, and we cannot wait to use our AEDs to make our first save," said Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan. Equipped Bellevue and Kent Police who arrive first to the scene of a cardiac arrest will start resuscitation and deliver the first defibrillatory shocks. Once emergency medical responders arrive on scene, they will take over resuscitation duties. Bellevue Police activated their program in 44 equipped patrol vehicles on February 16, while Kent Police will be activating their program in 55 patrol vehicles in early April. Participating officers receive training in how to use the equipment. All AEDs are being provided by Philips Healthcare. For more information:
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