WORKSHOP ITEM Christopher Olson, Safety Services Mgr./Police Chief
Title
MANDATED AEDS IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES
Background
In December 2016, a citizen appeared before the Council requesting that AEDs be mandated to be placed in all apartment complexes. Council requested staff to bring back a workshop item about the feasibility of this request.
Staff has determined that there are 52 apartment complexes in the City of Blaine and if an AED was required to be on each floor of these complexes that would be total of 144 floors (AEDs). Staff will review the legality and liability questions raised by Council as it relates to the Good Samaritan Law.
The Blaine Police Department and the SBM Fire Department have been working to increase AED awareness and the training of bystanders in CPR (we are working to make the City of Blaine a Heart Safe Community). Additionally, all patrol vehicles and fire vehicles are equipped with AEDs and police officers and firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Responders, EMTs or Paramedics. Staff will review with Council the nature of this equipment, training and programs. The objective of this information is to make the Council aware that there are significant advances of AED awareness and placement making a mandatory AED ordinance possibly not necessary.