Title
Presentation: EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson Update and Software Gift
Executive Summary: EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson was founded in 2010 to provide support to expand Hudson EMS within the community through advocacy, coordination of auxiliary activities, public awareness, technical assistance, funding, and training. Although not a part of Hudson EMS, their goal is to work in partnership with Hudson EMS to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Hudson through the promotion of general wellness and safety of the citizens of Hudson. EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson comes before City Council to update them on their latest project: Automatic External Defibrillators in Hudson.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
This past spring EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson started an incentive to teach every member of the Hudson community Hands Only CPR, as most people who experience Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) at home, work or in a public location die, because they don't receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene. CPR is the first link in the chain of survival, which is followed by the next link, Rapid defibrillation. To assure that this link is available to everyone in Hudson, they have started fundraising to help defer the cost of Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) purchases and have negotiated discounted prices from a local vendor.
Despite these efforts they realize that when sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes, and bystanders immediately call 911. The 911 dispatchers generally lack information about the presence and location of AEDs at or nearby the SCA victim. This means that publicly available AEDs are rarely retrieved. As a result, SCA victims are dying at locations at or near publicly placed AED's.
To address this critical information gap, EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson would like to give to the City of Hudson, a two year subscription to AED Link by Atrus. Atrus has created and manages the National AED Registry (www.NationalAEDRegistry.com). It is the first and only national database resource specifically designed to help improve SCA survival rates by rapidly linking AEDs, AED users and SCA victims.
Currently the Ohio Revised Code, Section 3701.85 (C), states that; a person who possesses an automated external defibrillator may notify an emergency medical services organization of the location of the defibrillator. The EMS Department and the EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson would respectfully request that the City adopt an ordinance that requires individuals and companies within Hudson who possess an AED to notify Hudson EMS of the location of the AED via the National AED Registry, which is a free service, since the true benefit of this gift cannot be realized unless the AED's in Hudson are registered.
Timing Considerations
Upon acceptance of the AED Link system the EMS Department will work with EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson, Atrus and the Hudson Police Dispatch Center to install and implement the system.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that Council accept the AED Link system and instruct Staff to work with the City Solicitor in creating a City ordinance that requires registration of AED's located within the City of Hudson.
Submitted by,
Heidi Schweighoefer, President EMS Outreach Fund of Hudson
Bruce Graham, EMS Director
Scott N. Schroyer, Interim City Manager