SALEM –The Washington County Sheriff’s Department would like to thank Ascension St. Vincent Hospital for its generous matching donation to provide automated external defibrillators or AED devices in Washington County Sheriff vehicles.
Ascension donated three devices, and the department purchased three. “It is important for our sheriff’s department to carry AED machines in police vehicles because law enforcement is often the first on the scene, especially with the size of Washington County,” said Sheriff Miller.
Sheriff Miller is pleased with the addition of the devices to the department’s vehicles to help save lives. Miller is grateful for the assistance of Ascension St. Vincent of Salem.
“Knowing that every minute counts when saving a life, it will be helpful for our officers to have these devices if needed. I appreciate the generosity of Ascension to help our community,” said Sheriff Miller.
According to the American Red Cross, an AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, a medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
Once the device is applied to the patient, it will analyze the need and respond accordingly.
Many lives have been saved by quick-thinking citizens that have been able to use an AED on an ill person.
