Federal Way police deploy 14 automated external defibrillators in patrol cars
Published 3:21 pm Friday, September 5, 2014
The Federal Way Police Department has joined the coordinated effort to increase the chances of saving a life by adding 14 automated external defibrillator devices in police patrol cars.
The purchase was approved in the 2012 Justice Assistance Grant program.
Police officers are often the first responder for criminal and medical emergencies, so it makes sense to provide this equipment to benefit the community, officials said. Early defibrillation increases the likelihood of survival.
The 14 devices will be distributed evenly among the shifts for 24/7 automated external defibrillator coverage in the community. Federal Way officers will be dispatched along with medical personnel to calls involving high possibilities of cardiac issues.
Due to the constant deployment of patrol units, these life saving devices will sometimes arrive on scene sooner and allow this highly effective device to be applied earlier and increase the likelihood of survival.
Coordination between the Federal Way Police Department, local fire departments and EMS organizations, as well as Valley Communications will ensure proper dispatching methods. Police officers are currently trained in the proper use of the devices.
A device was issued to Officer Justin Wilson on Sept. 1, when he received his first 911 dispatch of CPR in progress. His arrival time was two minutes; he discovered a bystander performing CPR on a 63-year-old man who had collapsed while jogging on a nearby trail.
Wilson immediately deployed his device and placed it on the patient. The device advised to deliver a shock, which he did. After the shock was delivered, CPR was continued and fire and medic personnel arrived continuing life-saving treatment, including two subsequent shocks. The patient was later transported to Auburn Regional Medical Center with a functional heart rhythm and stable blood pressure.
“Federal Way Police Department is proud that this life-saving device could be utilized almost immediately upon the launch of the program, delivering a live-saving result in our community,” said Police Chief Andy Hwang.”
Federal Way Police will track all deployments of the devices for potential expansion of the program in the future.
According to King County Public Health, someone who has a cardiac arrest in King County has a greater chance of survival than anyone else in the world, according to the latest analysis by county officials.
The survival rate for cardiac arrest in King County hit an all-time high of 62 percent in 2013. This success in saving lives is based upon a coordinated, regional system where everyone — dispatchers, first responders, fire departments, law enforcement, paramedics, urgent care centers and others — are guided by consistent medical direction and evidence-based practice. By comparison, the cardiac survival rates in New York City, Chicago and other urban areas have been recorded in the single digits.
