Thanks to the Orange Police Foundation, citizens of Orange can feel safer. Recent funding provided by Providence St. Joseph Hospital will help the Foundation equip police department marked patrol vehicles with life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices.
“When it comes to many cardiac emergencies, time is of the essence to prevent irreversible damage or death,” says George Baskevitch, MD, an Orange Police Department (OPD) reserve officer and tactical physician for the OPD SWAT team.
“Police officers are typically on the front lines and often arrive before the paramedics, so having AEDs in their possession can significantly cut the time between the onset of a potentially fatal dysrhythmia and corrective action,” says Baskevitch.
“A lot of lives have been saved with the ready access of AEDs, which when employed cardiovert, correcting dysrhythmia,” says Baskevitch, who retired in 2023 after 40 years working in the emergency room, including as Medical Director of the Emergency Department at West Anaheim Medical Center.
In addition to saving the lives of citizens, an AED can be used if needed by police officers themselves. In March 2023, an event occurred where an on-duty police officer had a heart attack. The availability of an AED may have lessened the impact of his medical emergency.
As AED technology has evolved, these devices have become more accessible and widely understood. Orange PD has had AEDs in the headquarters’ facility for years, and they are now mandated in public buildings. With AEDs already present in schools, businesses and public spaces throughout Orange, expanding their availability in police vehicles ensures that life-saving tools are on hand when every second counts.
Using an AED is straightforward. Each unit provides audio and visual guidance during the process. Officers receive regular training in the use of AEDs as part of ongoing emergency first aid. The machines evaluate if there is a cardiac emergency with a person’s heart and will not deliver any shock unless warranted.
According to Sean O’Toole, President of the Orange Police Foundation, “This initiative will maintain consistency by deploying the same type of device in every vehicle. While less expensive AEDs exist, they are typically designed for stationary use and lack the rugged features required for mobile environments. The devices selected for this program are built to withstand the demands of police work, ensuring they remain effective and accessible in the field.”
The $50,000 in funds from Providence St. Joseph will cover the purchase, installation and maintenance of AEDs in about half of the marked patrol vehicles, ensuring that officers are equipped to respond immediately to life-threatening emergencies.
To join Providence St. Joseph in supporting the Orange PD’s ongoing AED fundraising efforts, donations can be made online through the Police Foundation website at orangepolicefoundation.org using DonorSnap or PayPal. Donations to the Orange Police Foundation (a 501(c)3 charity) are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Always consult your tax advisor for additional information.
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For more information about the AED program or to support the initiative, visit www.OrangePoliceFoundation.org or contact Dan Adams at Dan@OrangePoliceFoundation.org
