2008 Heart Safe Community

International Acssociation of Fire Chiefs
Emergency Medical Services Section

April 29, 2008:  Delray Beach Fire-Rescue was honored at the opening ceremonies of this year’s Fire-Rescue Med Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 22, 2008, for its innovative approach to implementing and maintaining community public access to defibrillation.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs, Emergency Medical Services Division and Physio-Control (a division of Medtronic) recognized Delray Beach with the Hearts Safe Community Public Access to Defibrillation Program/Small Community Award (populations under 100,000).  Case studies and future white papers will document the success of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue’s defibrillation program to promote a “Best Practices” model for other agencies to emulate.

In 2007, Delray Beach Fire-Rescue conducted over 84 classes on CPR/AED (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Automatic External Defibrillator) and provided training for 1688 students.  During this same year, five instances of AED use by the public prior to the arrival of Paramedics were documented in the city - more than half of the victims survived.  An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart.  The shock can stop an irregular rhythm and allow a normal rhythm to resume in a heart in sudden cardiac arrest.

“The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Community Education Department runs an extensive CPR/AED program,” states Fire-Rescue Chief David James.  “We are proud of the quality of our lifesaving programs that we provide in our communities.”

Fire-Rescue Community Education Specialist and CPR/AED Coordinator Lt. Trisha Dunkelmann explains the pro-active position the department takes regarding its Public Access to Defibrillation program (PAD).  “This program was established in 1997 and has grown over the last eleven years to be an example for others to follow.  Two-hundred eleven Automatic External Defibrillators are registered throughout the City of Delray Beach. Our CPR/AED program is another way that we can provide lifesaving information and hopefully prevent sudden cardiac death by having early access to defibrillation.”

Chief James, EMS Division Chief Danielle Connor and Lt. Dunkelmann attended the conference to accept the award on behalf of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue.

For more information, contact Lt. Dunkelmann at (561) 243-7456.