APD Debuts New Tech and 'It's a Life-Saver'

Police in Acton have added a new item to their arsenal in support of their mission to protect and serve this community.

“Along with all of the other tools on the belt and the tools in the car, this is another tool for us to give a higher service to residents,” says Sgt. Dan Silva, who leads in-service training for the Acton Police Department's first-responders. 

He’s talking about AEDs, which are not to be confused with IEDs.

AEDS are automated external defibrillators, a portable electronic device that can help diagnose and treat cardiac episodes, and which Silva says he has seen save lives, including right here in Acton.

The way it works is, a first responder can turn on the machine, place an electrode pad on the victim, and then the pad will analyze the patient. If it picks up a rate or rhythm is detected that needs a charge, it will audibly call for a shock. Then the responder can launch into CPR and manual compressions.

“The machines are great; they’re very effective at stopping some of those more damaging heart rhythms,” said Silva. “But, hand in hand with good quality CPR, it’s a life-saver.”

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE TO SEE ACTON POLICE SGT. DAN SILVA DEMONSTSTRATE THE USE OF AN AED.

AEDs themselves aren’t cutting edge technology, but placing them in all of the Acton Police Department’s front-line cars can give local emergency responders an edge when it comes to saving lives. 

Adding AEDs to APD's life-saving arsenal is something Chief Francis J. Widmayer has been working toward for the past decade, according to members of APD, and that vision was realized when the purchase of the devices was worked into the budget for this year. 

AEDs were placed in all of APD's  front-line cars about a month ago. This addition increases the chance that this potentially life-saving device will be available for a resident in-need in a timely fashion. 

Consider an evening like Tuesday, when wintry weather slickens local roads and snarls traffic. Or if there is a major apartment fire in North Acton and a medical emergency is reported in South Acton. 

In those cases, a police cruiser may make it to a scene faster than a fire company carrying paramedics. And, with the help of an AED, that first officer may be able to provide more effective care as additional help, and Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers, respond to the scene.  

“With this tool, we’re able to give people a better chance at making a recovery,” said Silva. “It doesn't replace good CPR, it enhances CPR."

The Acton Police Department chose an AED produced by ZOLL Medical Corporation, which is based in Chelmsford. Buying local and highly accessible customer service where among the many reasons to go with this particular product, according to Silva. 

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE TO HEAR SILVA DISCUSS THE AEDs THAT ARE NOW IN ALL OF ACTON'S FRONT-LINE PATROL CARS. 

That automated external defibrillators are now in all of APD's patrol cars is a plus, to be sure. But another benefit is that all of APD's first-responders are highly trained in the use of AEDs, which are actually fairly common. You'll see them in public schools, public libraries, public buildings and even some private residences -- as, in some cases, the devices can be prescribed for people with cardiac issues. 

While APD patrol cars are equipped with the ZOLL model, most AEDs work the same way. This means an officer likely could lend a hand with whatever device is most immediately available, and a dispatcher could even assist someone through the steps over the phone, police said.