FOP representative Ronald Ultz presents the AED to Capt. J.P. White / Heather Mann
CULLMAN – The Cullman Police Department on Tuesday morning received an automated external defibrillator (AED) that will be placed in a CPD patroI vehicle and can be used in the event of a medical emergency.
The donation came from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) as part of a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The FOP distributed the AEDs to state lodges that worked with local law enforcement to identify areas that were most in need of the devices.
An AED is a machine that measures heart rhythm and can send a shock to the heart to treat sudden cardiac arrest (Note: Despite what you see in movies and TV, it can only treat a heart that's out of rhythm. If the heart has stopped beating altogether, the only way to help is to use CPR to manually keep the blood moving). With police officers often the first on the scene, especially in rural areas, AEDs are becoming more and more important to have available.
Alabama State FOP President Wesley Knapp said that the donation will be a great benefit. "Our thanks go out to the FOP for creating this partnership that will have a direct positive impact on public safety," Knapp said. "Simply put, having AEDs in police cruisers will save lives."
At the Cullman Police Department Tuesday, the device was presented by FOP representative Ronald Ultz to Capt. J.P. White.
Said White, "On behalf of the Cullman Police Department, we're proud to get this equipment that could potentially save lives when we're out on patrol. A lot of times we are the first responders on the scene, and any time we can help save lives is a good thing. I'd like to thank Firehouse Subs and the Fraternal Order of Police. This could be very beneficial to the citizens of Cullman County."
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