Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/12/2023)
ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
Index as: AED Defibrillation
Arrhythmia (or Dysrhythmias ) First Aid Training
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) First Responder
Body Substance Isolation Good Samaritan
Cardiac Arrest Police Training Specialist
Cardio -pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Safety and Training Officer
CPR
Accreditation Standards: 41.3.2, CFA 10.13
Cross Reference: G.O. II -14, Maintenance and Repair of Vehicles and Equipment
I.O. V.5:22, Infectious Diseases
Replaces : I.O. V.5:35 Automated Extern al Defibrillator (AED) ( June 30, 2021 )
This Order consists of the following sections:
I. Purpose
II. Definitions
III. AED Program
IV. Responsibility
V. Inspections
VI. Training
VII. AED Use Procedures
I. PURPOSE
A. In order to facilitate public health and safety, Officers, as first responders, may have to utilize life -saving procedures
and devices to stabilize a victim until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can arrive. The purpose of this Directive is to
define procedure s governing the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). These procedures apply to St.
Petersburg Police Department members trained in CPR and the use of AEDs.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) – An automatic, portable, battery -powered device attached, via electrodes,
to the upper chest of persons in cardiac arrest or arrhythmia that analyzes the heart’s rhythm for abnormalities and, if
necessary, directs the rescuer to deliver an electrical shock to the victim. This shock, called defibrillation, may help the heart
to re-establish an effective rhythm of its own. The AED provides continuous monitoring to protect against the recurrence of
arrhythmia following resuscitation.
B. Arrhythmia (or Dysrhythmias) – Problems that affect the electrical system of the heart muscle, producing abnormal
heart rhythms. They can cause the heart to pump less effectively .
C. Body Substance Isolation – Is a practice of isolating all body substances of individuals w ho might be infected with
a communicable disease. DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
June 2021 Immediately V.5:35
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.5:35
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/12/2023 )
D. Cardiac Arrest – The sudden, abrupt loss of heart function. Unless a normal heart rhythm is restored, death will
follow within a matter of minutes.
E. Cardio -pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – An emergency procedure, performed in an effort to manually preserve
intact brain function , until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing , in a person in
cardiac arrest.
F. Defibrillation – A process in which an electronic device gives a n electric shock to the heart. This helps re -establish
normal contraction rhythms in a heart having dangerous arrhythmia or in cardiac arrest.
G. First Aid Training – Is Cardio -pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
III. AED PROGRAM
A. The Equipment Room, Uniform Services Bureau, is responsible for overseeing the AED program. Responsibilities
include:
1. Monitoring the tracking and assignment of AEDs.
2. Assigning an available AED to a sworn employee
B. An employee leaving employment with the St. Petersburg Police Department shall will return their assigned AED to
the Equipment Room, USB as indicated on the J:\Forms \Exit Clearance Form (Sworn).pdf .
IV. RESPONSIBILITY
A. As a first responder, an Officer will respond to all life -threatening emergency incidents. An Officer will initiate CPR
and, where available, deploy the AED if cardiac arrest is suspected.
B. A non-sworn employee , who ha s received current training in CPR and AED procedures , may respond to life -
threatening emergency incidents, including those requiring CPR and AE D use, as “Good Samaritans” at their discretion.
C. Any employee who uses a Department AED is required to activate EMS , as soon as possible , via the Emergency
Communications Center or by calling “911.” EMS activation may be done by the responding member , or designee.
D. The Supervisor will respond to all life -threatening emergency incidents in which the AED is deployed under their
command.
1. To ensure public health and safety, the Supervisor will ensure, whenever possible, that emergency aid is
administered.
2. If EMS is not already activated, the Supervisor, or designee, will immediately activate the EMS system, via the
Emergency Communications Center, or by calling “911.”
3. When the AED is used to render medical aid, the Supervisor will ensure that an Incident Report is completed .
4. After each AED use, the Supervisor, or designee, will ensure that the electrodes are replaced.
a. Backup electrodes in the AED case will be used for immediate replacement.
b. The AED will be turned in to the Equipment Room.
1) The Training Division will have the data downloaded by the St. Petersburg Fire and Rescue
Department.
2) Once the