December 5, 2007-SALINAS, CA– If you live in or visit Monterey County, your chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest have increased dramatically.
Thanks to a hallmark program, all law enforcement vehicles in the County now carry automated external defibrillators (AED) and all federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel in Monterey County are trained in the use of the AEDs and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
“Monterey County is one of just a handful of counties in the nation that has equipped every level of law enforcement vehicle with an AED,” says Tom Lynch, Monterey County’s Emergency Medical Services Director.
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors fully funded the purchase of 156 AED units to equip all local law enforcement agencies with this lifesaving device. An additional 22 AED training units were also bought. The Emergency Medical Services Special Assessment (CSA74 Fund) provided $269,643 to implement this benchmark medical response program.
“Anytime you see law enforcement arriving on the scene in Monterey County, you can also expect an AED and someone that knows how to use it to save a life,” says Chief Michael Klein of Sand City.
Law enforcement agencies that are AED-equipped include: the Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Fort Hunter-Liggett, CSUMB, California Parks, County Parks, Regional Park District, and the 12 incorporated cities.