The Pima County Sheriff's Department received 26 automated external defibrillators that will be put in vehicles of sergeants acting as patrol shift supervisors.
Andrew Messing, president of the Steven M. Gootter Foundation, presented the department with the devices Friday at sheriff's headquarters, 1750 E. Benson Highway.
An AED, along with CPR or chest compressions, can save lives. An AED delivers an electrical shock through the chest to the heart of a person who has suffered cardiac arrest or arrhythmia.
"We are very pleased about this generous donation," said Chief Deputy Chris Nanos.
"Deputies are often the first to arrive at the scene prior to medical services, and can use the device as soon as possible," said Deputy Tom Peine, explaining that the patrol shift supervisor can hear on the radio the calls and head to where a deputy can use the device.
The sheriff's department has stationary devices throughout its facilities, and mobile devices are used by deputies on Mount Lemmon, the SWAT team, the bomb squad and search and rescue, Peine said. The donation increases AEDs in the department to 78.
In addition to law enforcement agencies, since 2009 the foundation has donated more than 100 AEDs to schools, churches and recreations centers.
