---

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

---

Heart Defibrillator given to Sheriff’s Office
August 25, 2003

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has received word that their Clearwater Annex will be the recipient of one of seventeen Public Access Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) that are being distributed throughout Mason, Jefferson and Clallam Counties. AED's are light weight portable devices that provide an electrical shock capable of restoring a normal heart rhythm of Cardiac Arrest victims, greatly improving the chances of surviving until they reach a hospital A rural needs assessment determined the placement of each unit.

Funding for the AED's was provided by the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration through the Rural Access to Emergency Devices Project The Northwest Region Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care Council joined with the Washington State Department of Health in applying for the funding last July Because the needs assessment revealed many more suitable locations a second grant application has been submitted. Through the combined efforts of Public CPR / AED training as well as the Northwest Region Emergency Medical Services System our region will continue to lead the national average of surviving a cardiac event.

Contact: Anice Grant - (360) 479-5631

NORTHWEST REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
AND TRAUMA CARE COUNCIL
5610 Kitsap Way, Suite 240
P.0. Box 31 79 • Bremerton, W A 98312
Fax: (360) 479-5772
Email: nwems@hurricane.net