In an ongoing effort to improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places, Hall Ambulance Founder and President Harvey L. Hall is continuing his crusade by donating five of the lifesaving devices to the City of Wasco.

The presentation took place during the Wasco City Council meeting on January 16, 2018.

The AEDs will be placed at the following locations:

• Public Works
• Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Finance
• Animal Control
• Mechanics Shop

“As the 9-1-1 paramedic provider serving 88% of Kern County’s population, we have witnessed firsthand the difference early CPR and defibrillation by an AED can make for someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest,” said Hall.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs suddenly and mostly without warning.  According to the American Heart Association over 320,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States. It is an electrical malfunction of the heart causing an irregular heartbeat.  During SCA, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs, and other organs, causing a person to lose consciousness and have no pulse.  Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment; however, it can be reversible in most victims if treated within the first few minutes.  This includes immediately starting CPR while someone else calls 9-1-1 for emergency medical services and retrieves an AED if located in close proximity.

An AED is designed to be simple to use and provides audible voice prompts to guide the user through the process.  The unit will check the victim’s heart to determine whether defibrillation is needed.

In 2016, Hall placed an AED in the County of Kern’s Board Chambers and in the council chambers of the eight incorporated cities located within the Company’s 9-1-1 response areas, including Wasco and neighboring Shafter.  Last year, Hall presented an AED to the Delano First Assembly after a visitor to the church experienced a medical scare.

“It is our hope that by making these AEDs available in the communities we serve, they will one day contribute to saving a life,” said Hall.

Hall Ambulance has provided paramedic service to the city of Wasco since 2014.