Umatilla Police Department receives nearly $9K to fund AEDs for patrol vehicles

UMATILLA, Ore. -- The Umatilla Police Department has been awarded a grant of nearly $9,000 to assist with funding the acquisition of five new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

The Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation gave this grant to UPD to help improve public safety and emergency response capabilities in Umatilla.

The foundation supports initiatives that promote health, improve quality of life and enrich the livability of residents. The Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation recognizes the importance of law enforcement in emergency medical response and is proud to support the Umatilla Police Department.

"It is always rewarding to participate in enhancing the capabilities of our local Emergency Responders. The Foundation is pleased to be able to help the community of Umatilla in this small way," said Executive Director of the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation Liz Marvin.

AEDs are portable medical devices that analyze heart rhythms and can deliver a controlled electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm in individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. A cardiac emergency can happen anytime, having rapid access to AEDs significantly increases the changes of survival.

Sergeant Ivan Dike of the Umatilla Police Department said "I'd like to thank the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation for the award of funds for purchasing new AED's for our patrol vehicles. If it weren't for organizations like yours, small agencies like ours would have trouble getting the finances needed to get the lifesaving equipment. The importance of having AEDs' in our patrol vehicles is so important as Law Enforcement can arrive anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes before EMSS. 2 to 5 minutes could be the difference between life and death. So, with that being said, we are one step closer to being able to have an AED in each patrol vehicle. So, on behalf of the Umatilla Police Department, I'd personally like to thank your foundation for awarding us with the grant!"

For more information on the Good Shepherd Foundation, click here.

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