The Ocean City Police Department recently purchased six new Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for officers to carry in their patrol cars, according to an OCPD news release.
Because police are out on patrols, they sometimes are first responders to medical emergencies. Sudden cardiac arrest victims have a 74 percent survival rate if an AED is used within 3 to 5 minutes, according to statistics presented by Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Breunig in a presentation in December. The same victims have just a 9 percent survival rate with CPR alone.
Police now have eight AED units, and they are deployed in vehicles on patrol in each of the department's five sectors 24 hours a day. They also are deployed in two supervisors' vehicles. The remaining unit is available at police headquarters.
All Ocean City officers are trained to use the equipment and are recertified every two years.
The purchase of the new defibrillators is part of a push from the police and fire departments to make them more readily available throughout the city. The initiative was part of a public safety workshop in December.
"Given the strategic location of our three fire houses, coupled with our quick response times, from both police and fire, Ocean City first responders are better equipped and well-trained to provide immediate care to a resident and/or visitor," Police Chief Chad Callahan said. "Bottom line, if one of my family members were to have a cardiac-related emergency, I would certainly hope they were here in Ocean City — we certainly have the gold standard in responding to medical emergencies."
Ocean City Police Sgt. Keith Johnson with an AED unit
