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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8681
f= To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
April 19, 2005
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Pagel of 2
SUBJECT: Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Program
As previously discussed with the City Council, the City operates a Public Access Defibrillator Program
(PAD program). The City of Fort Worth's PAD program is currently three years old and is jointly
administered by the Public Health Department and the Fire Department. The PAD program provides for the
placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in City -owned buildings and currently is
responsible for twenty -three AEDs distributed amongst eighteen buildings. The current division of
responsibilities tasks Public Health with maintaining the AEDs, while the Fire Department provides the
training City employees need to operate them.
AEDs are medical devices designed to provide a quick response to incidents of cardiac arrests (heart
attacks). Cardiac arrests make up 53% of cardiovascular disease related deaths, which are the leading cause
of death in the United States. As with most medical emergencies, an immediate response to a cardiac arrest
is vital. Brain death can start to occur as soon as four to six minutes after a person experiences cardiac
arrest. Cardiac arrest can be reversed if it is treated within a few minutes with an electric shock delivered to
the heart by an AED. A victim's chances of survival are reduced by seven to ten percent with every minute
that passes without defibrillation, with ten minutes typically being the longest survival time without
°treatment. The AED directs the user how to attach it to the victim, analyzes the victim's heart rhythm and
then advises the user whether to continue CPR or administer a shock through the push of a button. The goal
is to provide effective medical attention immediately and bridge the gap between the cardiac arrest and the
arrival of emergency personnel.
Cardiac Science has been the vendor for all AEDs used in the program to date. Recently the company
expressed interest in working with the City of Fort Worth to further develop the City's existing PAD
program Cardiac Science is planning to donate a number of AEDs to expand the program The AEDs
donated by Cardiac Science will be distributed between City buildings according to need, which can vary
by the size of the building, the number of employees, visitors, etc. In addition, seven AEDs will be given to
the Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service (EMS) division to replace older AEDs they are
currently using at public events. Cardiac Science is also willing to provide marketing and public outreach
functions, as well as providing some financial support to the program through marketing fees and cash
rebates on AED sales to private businesses. In exchange, Cardiac Science would be named the exclusive
sUpher of AEDs to the City, based upon a mutually agreed upon purchasing agreement No bid is required
under Chapter 252.022 of the Texas Local Government Code exempting purchases necessary to preserve or
protect the public health.
If this agreement is concluded, it will result in an increase in the administrative workload of the program
that would require additional resources. To best handle any expansion of the PAD program, it is proposed
that the Fire Department assume the entire responsibility of the PAD program's administration due to the
�artment's existing activities in public safety education and EMS. The PAD program is a comprehensive
f itiative with many different tasks, including placement, training, maintenance, emergency response and
7 public information and promotion. As a result of assuming responsibility for these tasks, the Department
has indicated the need for a coordinator in the Fire Department's EMS office and accompanying costs for
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Mli • r
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council April 19, 2005
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Program
maintenance of the devices, training supplies and other associated costs at a yearly cost of approximately
$97,000. The administration of this program involves considerable time and effort, which cannot be
supported by the current personnel in the Fire Department devoted to public safety and EMS programs.
The City Manager's Office supports the expansion of the program, however, it requires an allocation of
resources. In order to take advantage of Cardiac Science's offer, the City is asked to approve an agreement
with Cardiac Science to name that firm the exclusive supplier of AED's to the City as soon as practical.
The staff is prepared to present the necessary M&Cs to effectuate the expansion of the program upon the
direction of the City Council.
Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Chief Charles Gaines at (817) 871-
6805.
I -. X'
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
1 SSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS