Leadership Douglas County donates three defibrillators to deputies on patrol
When someone’s having a heart attack, seconds count. Usually, the first responders on the scene are Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies. Now, they’re armed with a medical device called an automated external defibrillator (AED) that can help save lives.
Leadership Douglas County, sponsored by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, raised money to purchase three new AEDs for the DCSO.
“The deputies have all been trained in CPR and how to use an AED. Now, deputies with one can deliver a life-saving shock to residents having heart attacks and increase their chance of survival by 75%,” said Captain Brad Heyden, commander of DCSO’s Support Services Division. “Someday, we want to have an AED in every single patrol car.”
The new defibrillators will be placed in vehicles patrolling Franktown, Parker and Roxborough. The DCSO already has 4 other AEDs that have been placed in patrol vehicles in the mountain and southern areas of the county.
Each AED cost about $2,300. Royal Crest Dairy, owned by the Miller family for five generations, paid for one of defibrillators.
“It’s something that saves lives and is beneficial for the community,” Kyle Taylor, Denver Manger of Operations for Royal Crest Dairy, said. “The Miller family likes to help people in many ways. It’s who they are.”
Leadership Douglas County (LDC) presented Taylor and Royal Crest Dairy an award on Thursday for their contribution during a meeting at the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce.
The 2013-2014 LDC class decided to raise money for AEDs because studies show they could save 50,000 lives nationwide every year. For every minute defibrillation is delayed, the victim’s chance of survival decreases by seven to ten percent. After three minutes, irreversible brain damage may occur, according to an American Heart Association study.
“We live in a county with lots of rural areas and few police cars have AEDs. Now, no matter where in the county they end up, more deputies will have one with them,” said Diane Leavesley of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
Want to help purchase more AEDs for deputies? Please call 720.440.3726 or email info@LeadershipDouglasCounty.com.