CINCINNATI (August 31, 2023) – Project Heart ReStart is proud to announce the committee has raised enough money to purchase and install an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The initial Phase One milestone of $250,000 was announced last Thursday at Sheriff Appreciation Day hosted by The Rotary Club of Cincinnati.
The campaign was kicked off with a $125,000 pledge by the Hamilton County Commissioners. Additionally, local contributors include The Christ Hospital Health Network, Mercy Health, TriHealth, UC Health, Cincinnati Children’s, Cintas and members of the Rotary Club of Cincinnati. Together they have pledged funds towards the purchase of 100 AEDs for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
From May 2022 through May of 2023, there were over 1,200 cardiac event calls to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s patrolled areas, and more than two thirds of those patrol cars did not have an AED in their cruiser. Hamilton County Sheriff deputies are often the first responder to those calls. Only 30 Hamilton County Sheriff cruisers have an AED leaving 100 without these life-saving pieces of medical equipment. Every minute of delay in the use of an AED reduces the survival rate by 7-10%.
Having an AED for our first responders on the scene of a cardiac event has the potential to increases the survival rate from 10% to 40%. Project Heart ReStart is now in Phase II of its campaign in hopes of equipping other law enforcement agencies with AEDs.
For more information about Project Heart ReStart and how to donate, click the link here.
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