New law mandates defibrillator machines in police stations

 

From Illinois Business Journal news services

SPRINGFIELD – Municipal police stations and county sheriff’s offices will soon be equipped with automated external defibrillator machines thanks to a new measure sponsored in the Senate by Sen. John Mulroe, D-Chicago. The proposal was signed into law by the governor today.

“AED’s are proven to save lives when used in emergency situations,” Mulroe said. “The fact that even a small percentage of police and sheriff’s offices do not have these machines is cause for alarm. This plan seeks to change that.”

Police officers are often placed in intense situations within seconds causing extreme stress on their bodies and health, and officers have died as a result. The proposal will affect only those facilities with 100 or more employees.

Under the original AED Act, county sheriffs and municipal police departments are exempt from civil liability. The proposal will affect only those facilities with 100 or more employees.

“This is a very common-sense plan that seeks to empower, equip and protect those who we task with serving and protecting us with the knowledge and tools they need to protect each other and others,” Mulroe said.

The proposal, which saw overwhelming support in both chambers, goes into effect Jan. 1, 2016.