The Forest Grove Police Department is now fully outfitted with an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) in every patrol vehicle thanks to a generous donation from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.
These life-saving devices are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, a malfunction of the heart causing it to immediately stop beating. The use of AEDs has been proven to dramatically increase a patient’s chance of survival.
When emergency calls for CPR are made to 911, police, fire, and EMS crews are all dispatched to the scene. Because officers are already out on patrol, they are usually the first responders to the scene, able to start CPR and deploy an AED while fire and EMS are on route.
Previously, the FGPD had just three devices in use, equipping only half of the vehicles on the road during a shift. The newly donated ten ensures each officer always has one on hand.
FGPD officers deploy AEDs an average of 2-3 times a month. Naloxone, an antidote to opioid overdose, is also kept inside AED cases.
All members of the FGPD - including patrol, investigations, administration, and support staff - are trained in and certified in the use of AEDs, in addition to First Aid and CPR.
The FGPD thanks Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue for their donation, and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue for outfitting them for police use.