LAKEFIELD -- The Lakefield Police Department (LPD) recently received four automated external defibrillators (AED) through the Cintas ReviveR Provider AED Police Grant Program -- the first law enforcement agency in Minnesota and the 10th in the nation to be chosen for the program out of more than 4,000 applicants.
Cintas First Aid and Safety, a division of Cintas Corporation, provides more than 100,000 companies with first aid supplies and services. The ReviveR Provider program selects four departments every year to receive hour of the AEDs.
"Having this technology available during a cardiac emergency can mean the difference between life and death in our community," Lakefield Mayor Dudley Hussong said during a special ceremony this week. "Outfitting our police officers with AEDs significantly enhances our ability to save lives when seconds count."
The grant also includes a training session for up to eight officers if it is needed, but Police Chief Jared Praska has that under control.
"Two on our department are part of the ambulance crew, and they can train us," he said.
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More than 250,000 people die each year from sudden cardiac arrest, making it one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Research has demonstrated for every minute that passes without defibrillation, a victim's chances of survival decrease by seven to 10 percent. According to Mike Wallner of Cintas, with the new devices, the LPD will be one of the most well prepared police departments in the country when it comes to handling cardiac emergencies.
Wallner, who manages the AED program, said all applicants do a good job of demonstrating a need for the devices, but LPD was chosen this quarter for a number of reasons.
"They have an outstanding working relationship with the EMTs," he explained. "They are a small rural police department and these four AEDs will outfit the entire department. We were really able to make a difference in that community."
Because police officers are quite often the first to respond to a medical emergency, Wallner said having the AEDs in a squad car can make a big difference.
"I hope they never have to use them, but if they do they will be ready," he said.
The nice thing about the device is it only has two buttons -- one to turn the machine on and one to deliver a shock. The two pads attached to the device each have a picture showing how it is to be applied. When the machine is turned on, it talks the user through the process of using the defibrillator.
"It won't deliver a shock unless it detects a chaotic rhythm," Wallner said.
The estimated cost for each machine is $1,500. AED devices are commonly used in rescue vehicles and in recent years are making appearances in malls, office buildings and even schools.
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"The officers have already had first aid training," Wallner said. "The AED is the next step in preparedness for an emergency."
