VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- Vermilion Parish has equipped its police and fire departments with 89 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to enhance emergency response capabilities.

The AEDs were purchased using funds collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of an initiative by the Vermilion Parish Police Jurors to improve public safety.

“It's very crucial because not just an ambulance service or the fire department can react to a call. Now, a policeman within Vermilion Parish can react to a call too, and hopefully save that person's life,” said Homer Stelly, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness.

The AEDs, which are designed to assist in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, were distributed to all police and fire departments in the parish. Training sessions were conducted to ensure that personnel are well-prepared to use the devices effectively.

Rachael Grose from Cardiac Solutions highlighted the importance of AEDs, noting that they significantly improve the chances of survival during cardiac emergencies.

"These devices will coach you and show you how to do CPR," she explained.

The distribution of AEDs is expected to increase the number of life-saving devices available in the community, thereby enhancing the overall emergency response infrastructure.

The deployment of AEDs across Vermilion Parish marks a significant step in improving emergency medical response, potentially saving lives by enabling quicker intervention during cardiac emergencies.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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