HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4030
City of Palo Alto (ID # 4030)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Special Orders of the Day Meeting Date: 8/19/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Presentation of AEDs
Title: Presentation of Automated External Defibrillators Purchased With City
Council Contingency Funds
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Fire
On April 15, 2013, the City Council approved spending $92,500 from its FY 2013 Contingency
Fund to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Staff originally anticipated being
able to acquire 37 total units with 8 of those planned for deployment in Police patrol cars and
the remaining in City facilities. However, the City was able to acquire 52 units through a
competitive bid and in the process expand the planned rollout to additional community and
recreation facilities.
Deploying AEDs in police patrol vehicles and at virtually every major City facility will ensure that
the Palo Alto citizens and visitors will have a higher chance of early defibrillation during a
sudden cardiac arrest. In cities where defibrillation is provided within 5 to 7 minutes, the
survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest is as high as 30–45 percent. Other studies show
survival rates as high as 86 percent in some cities. Nearly 60 percent of all cardiac arrests are
witnessed, so if an AED is nearby, chances the patient will receive timely defibrillation therapy
is improved. It’s estimated that improved access to AEDs could save 40,000 lives a year in the
U.S. alone, the equivalent of a cure for breast cancer.
The initial deployment of AEDs will take place in August and September 2013 and include the
deployment in patrol cars and several high occupancy City facilities. Staff is finalizing the
complete list of deployment locations, but has tentatively planned installations at the following
sites:
All City Libraries
All Community Centers
City of Palo Alto Page 2
City Hall
Junior Museum and Zoo
Children’s Theatre
Community Theatre
Art Center
Cubberley
Baylands Nature Interpretative Center
Foothills Park
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
Mayfield soccer fields
Greer Park
Municipal Services Center
Golf Course
Water Quality Control Plant
Elwell Court
Animal Services
City staff have created and coordinated connections with key community groups who share a
dedication to community safety, preparedness and strategic risk reduction. The Fire
Department is planning on conducting several AED trainings in the coming months for City staff
to coincide with the AED deployment. The Public Safety Department is also planning on
implementing additional programs to further support cardiac emergency survival including
participation in the PulsePoint project, which is able to notify individuals on their smartphones
of nearby cardiac emergencies and the location of the closest AED. PulsePoint deployment is
planned for early 2014.