CMU EMS announces AED program

Press Release

Carnegie Mellon University Emergency Medical Service [CMU EMS] is pleased to announce the implementation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program on the Carnegie Mellon campus. AEDs will be used to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which is the leading cause of death of Americans today.

The AEDs will be deployed in Carnegie Mellon Police Department (CMPD) patrol cars, and used by CMPD officers and CMU EMS First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians. The AED program will allow this lifesaving intervention to be given much earlier than was previously possible. Since the victim's chances of survival drop by 10% for each minute that passes until they are defibrillated, early defibrillation is critical.

"This is the culmination of several years of work and effort," said Charles Anthe, CMU EMS Executive Director. "We're very excited about the increased ability the AEDs will allow us to provide to cardiac arrest victims on the Carnegie Mellon campus."

CMU EMS has worked with Allegheny General Hospital and the Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS to implement this program. Dr. Thomas Stein, an Emergency Department physician at Allegheny General Hospital and Medical Director of the LifeFlight air ambulance service, will provide medical direction for the program.

Carnegie Mellon EMS has worked in cooperation with the Carnegie Mellon Police Department for the past 14 years as a Quick Response Service on the college campus. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, CMU EMS provides Carnegie Mellon members and visitors with timely, professional emergency medical assistance whenever needed. CMU EMS also provides CPR and First Aid classes to members of the Carnegie Mellon community.