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Every second counts in any emergency.

While Fairfield's Fire Department can have paramedics on the scene of an emergency within a few minutes, they are often not the first to arrive.

Recognizing the importance of immediate action in critical cardiac situations, the fire department facilitated the placement of, and training for, automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in public facilities and in each police cruiser.

The devices analyze cardiac rhythms and, if necessary, deliver an electronic shock to a patient in an effort to correct a serious heart condition. After administering a shock, the AED monitors a patient's response to determine if additional pulses are needed.    

Each Fairfield police officer and select staff members at city facilities have received special training with the AEDs. When paramedics arrive, lifesaving equipment and information is already available to give emergency crews a head start on care.