Skagit County, Washington

October 23, 2015

Skagit County launches defibrillator location campaign

SKAGIT COUNTY – Citing a “Chain of Survival” study by the American Heart Association, Skagit County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) this week launched a campaign to locate and register all automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the county.

EMS Director Mark Raaka describes establishment of a free Skagit AED Registry as a win-win for emergency response organizations and those in the community who have opted to place AEDs in gathering places ranging from offices and stores to schools and churches.

“With this registry,” said Raaka, “we will dramatically increase the likelihood of making AEDs available in life threatening situations. Our 9-1-1 dispatchers will have detailed information about the location of AEDs in cardiac arrest events where every second counts, putting responders together with victims and the closest defibrillator in the area.”

In addition, said Raaka, the registry system features a maintenance element that notifies AED owners when vital equipment such as batteries and electrodes are due to be replaced. Once registered with the County, AEDs will be located on a Google map and data specific to each piece of equipment will be monitored.

“It is gratifying to know many businesses and organizations have invested in lifesaving AEDs,” said Raaka. “It is our hope that they will now take the important next step of letting us know they have the equipment so they can boost our area system of emergency response.”

For questions, or to register your AED, visit www.skagitcounty.net or call 416-1830.