AEDs stocked in EPD vehicles have deployed 48 times in 15 months

The automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Eugene Police's vehicles have been used 48 times since the program started.

In March 2023, EPD's 48 patrol 24/7 vehicles were outfitted with the device. In the 48 times the AEDs were deployed, a shock was delivered in seven of the deployments, which is a statistically normal percentage, as the AEDs do not advise a shock unless the heart is in ventricular fibrillation. In these cases, CPR is continued or started.

Statistics show CPR alone has a 7% survival rate at one month, but CPR combined with the utilization of an AED has a 32.9% survival rate at one month.

Eugene Police Foundation and PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Foundation partnered to purchase 48 Zoll AED Plus units, which are compatible with Eugene Springfield Fire's advanced life support devices

Eugene Police officers are not medics, but they often arrive to emergency calls where someone is in medical distress or dying.

Ways to support this initiative include learning CPR and downloading the Pulsepoint App, which crowd sources CPR when needed in public places.