The San Miguel Fire Department will soon be equipped with some new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) thanks to a recent donation.
Officials say money donated by the San Luis Obispo County Garbagemen’s Association Tuesday will allow for the purchase of two Zoll AED Plus units, which are more advanced than the current AEDs being used.
“Not only will the new AED’s assist the first responder with real-time feedback and CPR assistance, they also plug right into Paramedic cardiac monitors allowing for a smooth transition during resuscitation efforts,” according to a press release.
The units are reportedly American Heart Association complaint and compatible with equipment used by San Luis Ambulance, CAL FIRE, California Highway Patrol, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and Camp Roberts.
The fire department says the Garbagemen’s Association chooses a local cause to support every quarter and made the decision to donate to San Miguel Fire after the association’s secretary, Tom Martin, passed out during a Cal Poly basketball game at the beginning of the year and was saved by CPR and an AED.
"If it brings back even one person it's worth it," Garbagemen’s Association President George Kardashian said in a press release.
San Miguel Fire hopes to eventually replace all AEDs in its vehicles and add one to the station’s front office.
