The Rotary Club of Plant City announced today a new initiative to raise funds to purchase of Automated External Defibrillator devices for the Plant City Police Department patrol cars.
An AED is a portable device used to administer an electric shock to the heart and restore the heart’s normal rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.
Proceeds from The Rotary Club of Plant City’s Nov. 15 Dancing with the Locals event, as well as individual sponsorships and donations, will be used to support this special AED project.
“Plant City Police Department currently has 4 AEDs that we exchange between squads on a daily basis,” said Plant City Police Chief Steve Singletary. “This is a very low number, considering we have 68 sworn officers that are each assigned a car to use while they are working and to drive to and from work. The reason we haven’t pursued the purchase of more AEDs is simply due to the cost.
“With the Rotary Club purchasing an AED for every vehicle, this would essentially put 64 proven life-saving devices in the hands of officers who now would have the tools needed to save lives,” he said. “We currently respond to calls where patients are in sudden cardiac arrests, and, in several cases, we are the first to arrive on scene.”
The Rotary Club of Plant City decided to introduce this new initiative to promote safety and well-being throughout Plant City.
“There is a substantial need for AED-equipped patrol cars — not just in the community of Plant City but throughout the nation,” said Aaron Davis, Rotary Club of Plant City president. “Only one-third of police departments in all 50 states have vehicles equipped with units. Of those departments with AED units on-hand, no more than 50% of squad cars carry the potentially life-saving device.”
In addition to Dancing with the Locals, sponsorships and individual donations can me made to directly support this initiative. For more information, emails can be directed to rotarypc@gmail.com.