The Prosper Police Department announced the grant—$49,068 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation—and AED plans in a Jan. 28 town news release.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is a nonprofit created by the founders of Firehouse Subs. The organization provides lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships, continued education and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, according to the release.
The money will go toward purchasing 21 AEDs, one for every police car driving in Prosper, Mayor David Bristol said in a video posted to the Police Department's social media.
Town officials, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation members, Firehouse Subs franchisees and police representatives later celebrated the grant with an event on Jan. 29.
What it means
An AED is a portable device that delivers an electric shock to the heart of someone experiencing cardiac arrest, meaning the heart has suddenly stopped beating regularly, according to the American Heart Association.
The shock from an AED can get the heart beat to a normal rhythm.
“We are grateful to the Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs for this lifesaving gift,” Prosper Police Chief Doug Kowalski said in the release. “The new AEDs will address a vital need for emergency medical equipment, enabling officers to assist during cardiac emergencies by restoring a normal heartbeat.”
Police officers usually get to an emergency before paramedics, Kowalski said in the police department's video. The equipment will allow officers to provide lifesaving efforts before paramedics can arrive and take over, he said.
Something to note
Prosper is a HeartSafe community, a designation that recognizes the efforts a community makes to its citizens in protecting them from the effects of heart disease and sudden cardiac death, according to the town’s website.
There are three requirements to become a HeartSafe Community:
- Widespread CPR training: Educate citizens to take action in emergencies
- Accessible AEDs: Place defibrillators in public spaces for rapid response
- Advanced resuscitation protocols: Equip first responders and hospitals with best practices
