Summit County Ambulance Service
Summit County Public Access Defibrillation Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2012

Keep the Beat Contact: Marc Burdick
Phone: 970-668-5777

The Summit County “Keep the Beat” Public Access Defibrillation Project (SCPADP) announces new partnerships with the three Summit County Fire Districts; Copper Mountain Fire Department (CMFD), Lake Dillon Fire Rescue (LDFR), and Red White and Blue Fire Department (RWB).

Since 2004, the Summit County “Keep the Beat” Public Access Defibrillation Project has deployed more than 180 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) throughout Summit County and trained more than 2,000 lay-rescuers in CPR and AED use. This Project has appreciably improved the survival rate of sudden cardiac arrests for the residents and guests of Summit County, Colorado. AED devices are carried on all law enforcement vehicles and have been placed in many key locations in the County including libraries, athletic facilities, schools, golf courses, restaurants, ski resorts and other public locations.

The fire departments have joined the Project and now include inspection of AEDs as a part of their annual building inspections. Fire department inspectors verify the AED is ready for use with a good battery and defibrillation pads. If an issue is identified Summit County Ambulance is notified to correct the situation immediately. “We are pleased to be a part of this important program that has and will continue to save lives in Summit County” says Red White and Blue Fire Chief Lori Miller. “We already inspect all these facilities so it made sense for us to check these AED devices at the same time”.

Public Access Defibrillation is a key component of the so called “Chain of Survival” which includes Early Access (call 911), Early CPR, Early Defibrillation, and Early Advanced Care. For more information on the Keep The Beat Program, how to get an AED at your facility or CPR/AED training contact Summit County Ambulance at 970-668-5777