By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
STAPLETON, Alabama — In addition to solving crimes and catching criminals, deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department can often be the first line of defense in life or death situations.
Soon deputies throughout Baldwin County will get some needed equipment in their fight to save lives.
On Tuesday, April 23, Rob Williams, senior territory manager with Cardiac Science, gave a demonstration to BCSO supervisors at the Training Center in Stapleton for AEDs or automated external defibrillators, which will soon be installed in all patrol cars in Baldwin County.
AEDs are portable electronic devices that automatically diagnose the life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.
“Years ago, AEDs were installed in all of the courthouses in the county,” said Baldwin County Sheriff Hoss Mack, “and they’ve been put to good use.”
Recently, the Sheriff’s Department allocated $75,000 – monies raised through gun license fees – in order to purchase 60 AED units.
The Sheriff’s Department currently has 57 patrol vehicles throughout the county. The remaining AEDs will be placed in command vehicles, Mack said.
“It is our hope that by utilizing this device and properly training our deputies in its use, we will be able to save even more lives,” Mack said.