Council approves live-saving devices in city buildings

Those facing sudden heart attacks in public buildings may have a new lease on life following a vote this week by the Huntington Beach City Council.

The council voted unanimously to approve a proposal by Councilman Joe Carchio to put emergency defibrillators in public facilities around town.

“The national survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is less than 5%,” Carchio said at the meeting. “Reducing these deaths and improving the survival rate is accomplished by having a strong chain of survival.”

Automated external defibrillators can help stop sudden cardiac arrest by delivering an electric shock to the patient; with luck and proper use, it can get the heart pumping regularly again before emergency workers arrive to take over.

Carchio said he and Fire Chief Duane Olson “got our heads together” to come up with a list of public facilities where the devices could do the most good. That list includes City Hall, the Huntington Beach Senior Center, Huntington Beach Central Library, the Fire Training Center, the Corporate Yard, and the city’s recreation buildings at Edison and Murdy Parks.

City staff would be trained to use the devices.

Councilwoman Jill Hardy, who has a reputation for opposing spending measures she calls needless, deemed this one as worthwhile and praised Carchio for his timing.

“Most of the times I don’t vote for these expenditures, but this is one I would support,” she said. “Thank you for addressing this concern at the time we’re addressing the budget; I think this is the time that’s appropriate.”

Councilwoman Cathy Green called it a good move that could save lives.

“I think this is timely with more ways than that, especially with CPR training changing so much,” she said. “Survival rates go up dramatically.”

According to city reports, the program would cost $30,100 the first year, including maintenance; from there on out, upkeep will cost $1,800 per year. The Huntington Beach Fire Department will absorb $3,350 in training costs annually.

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael.alexander@latimes.com.