At BSO, we do our very best to keep Broward residents and visitors safe. This includes encouraging residents to learn about heart attack prevention. Being heart-smart is extremely important. I encourage you to learn how best to prevent heart disease from your doctor and reputable organizations.
One such organization is the American Heart Association. It offers important health tips and information on its web site, www.americanheart.org . Unfortunately, prevention is not always possible. When heart attacks do occur, lives can be saved if residents, as well as public safety professionals, have the tools and training to react and respond.
A few years ago, the chance of surviving a heart attack was slim unless trained medical professionals were standing by with heart-shocking defibrillators. But that is changing, thanks to the advent of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) – which are compact and portable, easy to use, and require no medical training. The Heart Association supports public access to defibrillators because “early layperson defibrillation” dramatically increases the odds of survival.
As sheriff, I want to make these lifesaving devices as available as possible. In the last several years, we have partnered with other agencies to procure and place AEDs throughout our community in places such as Tri-Rail trains, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades, Broward County parks, libraries, homeless assistance centers, courthouses, schools, and BSO facilities.
BSO's Fire Rescue Department has also been a leader in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for the public, too. Thousands of residents have been trained through partnerships with local hospitals and other organizations – and in turn, can use their CPR training to help their fellow neighbors.
CPR and AED training is not just something we offer to the public; it is mandatory for many BSO employees. BSO provides ongoing CPR and AED training for all law enforcement and detention deputies and community services aides. For employees in our Child Protective Investigations Section, we also offer infant CPR classes. Because of this, several thousand people are trained to respond to an emergency on the job – or off.
As I said, prevention is most important. It's best to seek professional medical attention and learn about prevention before you ever experience symptoms. Talk to your doctor. Learn the warning signs now. And remember, if you or someone near you is showing signs of a heart attack, do not delay - call 911 immediately. It's our job to respond and we are well-equipped to help.