Seal of Dane County County of Dane
Translate
County Executive's Office

County Executive’s 2013 Budget Funds New Life Saving Defibrillators for Sheriff’s Department

October 17, 2012
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 843-8858
County Executive

The Dane County Executive announced today this his 2013 budget includes a $102,000 investment in new life-saving equipment for the Dane County Sheriff’s Office to use in its squad cars and facilities.

 

The dollars will be used to purchase brand new, state of the art Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for all of the department’s patrol cars.  These devices are proven life savers and if used in a timely fashion can greatly improve survival rates for heart attack victims.

 

“Minutes matter during medical emergencies and by making sure our deputies have the best equipment to respond quickly, we will save lives,” County Executive Joe Parisi said. 

 

County Deputies on patrol are frequently the first ones on scene at medical emergency calls.  Parisi’s budget funds the purchase of more than 50 new defibrillators.

 

The devices check a person’s heart rhythm for irregularities, and if necessary, delivers an electric shock that can restore the heart to a normal rhythm.  Combined with the county’s ongoing efforts to train citizens in doing chest compressions with CCR (cardio-cerebral resuscitation), these AED’s can help patients get a regular heart beat. 

 

Parisi noted his budget also directs the Sheriff’s Department to work with other County Departments, including Parks and Highway, to see if the dozens of defibrillators now used by the Sheriff could be re-deployed and used in additional county facilities. 

 

“With the partnership the deputies of the Dane County Sheriff's Office enjoy with county wide EMS providers, the executive's approval to replace badly worn AED's in the 2013 budget will pay dividends in lives saved,” said Sheriff Dave Mahoney.  “These essential life saving tools are a welcome addition to a budget ensuring public safety to Dane County citizens.”
 

The County Executive introduced his 2013 budget on October 1st.  It is currently being reviewed by the Dane County Board. 

# # #

Back to Press Releases