The Eagle Point Police Department will be carrying a new life-saving tool in all patrol vehicles, thanks to a generous grant from the Robert and Frances Chaney Family Foundation.
EPPD applied for funding from the foundation to help purchase 10 Cardiac Science G3 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to provide a rapid response and care for cardiac arrest patients.
Training for the care, maintenance and use of the AEDs was provided through a partnership with Jackson County Fire District #3. The local fire district provided training to Eagle Point officers on how and when to use the AEDs. Now that the officers are certified in how to use the units, they will be placed in patrol cars and be available for emergency response.
According to the American Heart Association, there are more than 350,000 cardiac arrests which occur outside of the hospital each year. Defibrillation is the third step in the "Chain of Survival", behind calling 9-1-1 and CPR. Early defibrillation is the key to increasing the survival rate. Officers are often already in the field and closer to the incident location than emergency services personnel.
EPD Chief Jim Hamilton said they are grateful to the Chaney Family Foundation for their support of this project and to Fire District #3 for assisting with training on the use of the new devices.
