Police officers are not only the first line of defense against crime, fear and disorder, they are often the first resort for those in medical distress.

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn accepted a donation of five Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) from Milwaukee law firm Hupy and Abraham, and from the family of attorney Michael Hupy for use in MPD’s squad cars. Chief Flynn’s wish for the MPD this holiday season is to put lifesaving units in 250 patrol cars.

“I am grateful to our valued corporate and private citizens who are helping the residents of the city of Milwaukee by giving the gift of life this holiday season,” Chief Flynn said of the donation. “Our mission is to prevent the loss of life. We often are the first responders during a medical emergency and our ability to take lifesaving action is imperative.”

The Milwaukee Police Department spent considerable time with the Milwaukee Fire Department, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians and our training officers at the Police Academy to develop a plan to place the AEDs in the police cars. MPD currently uses the Philips Heart Start Defibrillators but will accept any brand of AED that meets our specifications.

In November at MPD’s Merit Awards ceremony, Chief Flynn recognized five police officers who performed CPR on people in cardiac arrest and saved their lives. Defibrillators in the squad cars can make that kind of help available for other citizens. On June 1, 2009, Police Officers, David Bublitz, Michael Driscoll and Zachary Thoms performed CPR on a woman who collapsed and suffered a heart attack during a disturbance at a home. They saved the woman’s life and are well aware of the benefits of having defibrillators readily available to officers in their squads.

Those interested in learning more about donating AEDs may contact the Milwaukee Police Endowment Fund at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation at 414-336-7068.

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