The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office remains committed to community safety, having equipped every marked patrol vehicle with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) since 2019.
This proactive measure has proved instrumental in recent life-saving situations, with two notable cases in February alone where AEDs were deployed to save lives.
On February 5, 2024, Deputy Biland responded to a distress call at Leto High School, where a student had collapsed during track practice.
When Deputy Biland arrived, the student was already hooked up to an AED and had received an initial shock. She promptly began CPR until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived and administered a second shock from their AED. The student regained a pulse and was transported to St. Joseph's Main Hospital.
On February 11, 2024, an older man suffered a medical emergency at his home in Tampa.
Deputy Szilagyi was dispatched to the call, swiftly implementing life-saving procedures. He then deployed his AED and performed CPR for several minutes until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue arrived to take over and transported him to St Joesph's Main Hospital.
"These incidents show the vital importance of AED accessibility and the dedication of our deputies to serve as first responders in medical emergencies," said Sheriff Chad Chronister, "Each life-saving measure performed, each individual saved, reaffirms our commitment to the safety and well-being of our community."
As February is American Heart Month, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office urges everyone to prioritize their heart health. Take proactive measures like learning CPR, knowing AED locations, and getting regular check-ups.