NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 8.4 - Automated External Defibrillation (AED) Protocol
8.4.1 Purpose
This protocol is to establish policy and procedures that are standard practice regarding the use of
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by the New Albany Police Department personnel. The
AED will be used by New Albany Police Department employees to provide potential lifesaving
treatment to individuals in sudden cardiac death emergencies.
8.4.2 Training
All Police Department personnel shall be trained in the use of the AED through a qualified, area Fire
Department or through a qualified American Heart Association (AHA) HeartSaver AED Program.
After initial certification, all personnel shall be required to take a refresher-training course provided
annually by the New Albany Police Department. Refer to Ohio Revised Code §3701.85 as to the
duties of a possessor of an AED.
8.4.3 Procedures
All AEDs shall be cared for and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations and guidelines. All testing, maintenance, usage, and service will be documented
in the CAD system.
All AEDs shall be stored in an appropriate location in each marked police cruiser, sheltered from
severe weather and environmental conditions. All AEDs shall be protected and secured as to follow
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines on restricted medical devices. Police Department
personnel shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of the AED unit. Since the unit does
internal self-inspections, personnel are only to inspect the condition of the unit, service status
window (which should display OK) and ensure defibrillator pads are attached and not expired. Any
person experiencing a problem with an AED unit shall place the unit out of service and immediately
notify the on duty supervisor and document the problem in a written memorandum to the on duty
supervisor.
A. The following is a minimum list of equipment that shall be available in each cruiser’s first aid
bag and kept with all AEDs:
1 – Disposable Bag Valve Mask
1 – Towel or appropriate material for wiping victims chest dry
1 – Disposable prep razor for removal of chest hair
1 – Pair of trauma sheers
4 – Pair of latex gloves
1 – Set of AED electrodes
B. As part of routine maintenance, the AED shall be inspected daily by the officer in his/her patrol
car and documented in the CAD system when marking in-service. Inspection consists of
examining the AED case, connector and battery for damage or foreign substance, examining
the accessory cables for cracked, damaged, broken or bent connectors or wires, and observing
the readiness display. If it says OK, the AED is safe to use. If a low battery symbol shows in the
display, replace the battery. If a wrench indicator appears, take unit out of service and notify the
on duty supervisor.
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