Police install defibrillators in patrol cars

To better provide aid for heart attack victims, the Costa Mesa Police Department has installed automated external defibrillator devices in its 42 marked patrol cars and SUVs, according to a news release.

Patrol officers often arrive first to medical aid calls, and the AED units are expected to help improve survival rates for victims, who were otherwise treated by officers using CPR.

“Clearly, AED equipment affords officers a critical resource for rendering emergency medical aid in those situations where seconds count,” the release said.

The devices were paid for using narcotics assets forfeiture funds, justice administration grant funds and donations from the Costa Mesa Police Officers’ and Costa Mesa Firefighters associations.

So far this year, the Fire Department has received more than 350 additional service calls than this time last year.

— Emily Foxhall

Twitter: @emfoxhall