Whitfield County EMA Director Claude Craig displays AED that was recently purchased for the agency's mobile command vehicle.Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to place on board the agency's mobile command vehicle. The AED was provided with federal funds through the North Georgia Health District's Emergency Preparedness Department.According to Claude Craig, director of Whitfield County EMA, "I was concerned we did not have an AED in the mobile command vehicle and there is not always an EMS unit or Fire unit in the area of the mobile command post. Considering budget restrictions, we are pleased our local public health district could positively respond to our request for the AED. We and our other community partners train together, respond together and exercise together, and this is just another way we are making our community better prepared for emergencies."
AEDs improve defibrillation response to sudden cardiac arrests experienced by adults and children. Chances of full recovery from sudden cardiac arrest decrease with each minute the patient goes without defibrillation; therefore, having this AED readily available in the mobile command vehicle is a potentially life-saving provision.