Bend, Ore. – Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are now part of the emergency response equipment carried in Bend Police vehicles thanks to the Helen Lorenz Foundation grant that was awarded to the department in July.
The grant funding allowed the Bend Police Department to put 32 AEDs into service. The AED’s are being installed into the police vehicles and can now be used during patrol operations.
In addition to outfitting the vehicles with AEDs, the Bend Police Department and the Bend Fire Department have initiated High Performance CPR training to create seamless patient care, starting from arrival of the first responders in an emergency. This process has proven to increase survival rates of people suffering from cardiac arrest.
Recent statistics from the Bend Fire Department show that with a witnessed cardiac arrest, the person’s heart has a shockable rhythm and inclusion of High Performance CPR there is an increased rate of survival. With AED’s in the field, shocking the heart can happen quicker.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
