GREENFIELD — Local law enforcement officials are hoping the donation of state-of-the-art AEDs will help save more lives.
The Greenfield Police Department received five new automatic external defibrillators on Friday, Oct. 30.
The AEDs, manufactured by Cardiac Science, cost $1,595 each. They can be used by officers who are often the first ones to arrive at emergencies involving cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest kills an estimated 325,000 people each year.
The AEDs were donated by nonprofit Bolt For The Heart in conjunction with a donation from AP Engineering and Consulting in Greenfield.
Bolt For The Heart’s goal is to place an AED in every police car in Indiana. Through its Hometown Hero campaign, local businesses and citizens can donate an AED to further help the cause.
Nearly every GPD vehicle is equipped with the life-saving devices, which are used regularly by officers, said Capt. Chuck McMichael, public information officer for GPD.
Replacing the AEDs on its own would have cost the department approximately $8,000. McMichael said GPD has also applied for a grant in the hopes of funding acquisition of more of the up-to-date devices to replace units that are reaching the end of their usefulness.
“It was perfect timing,” he said.
More information on the units can be found at www.boltfortheheart.com.
