Los Angeles port police add life-saving portable defibrillators to vehicle fleet

In an effort to further boost its capabilities to protect the public in emergency situations, the Los Angeles Port Police has placed  automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all its patrol and specialty vehicles. The 50 new fleet-deployed devices are in addition to several dozen already in place at permanent locations throughout the Port of Los Angeles, the port authority said in its news release.

An AED is a portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. AEDs are often used to revive unconscious or non-responsive individuals who are experiencing a cardiac event. A victim’s chance of survival declines rapidly for every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored.

“When someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest or is non-responsive for other reasons, quick access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death,” said Port Police Chief Tom Gazsi. “Our officers now have life-changing equipment right in their vehicles, which provides an added measure of readiness to our Port community, workers and employees, as well as residents and visitors.”

In 2012, Port Police initiated its AED program, placing dozens of life-saving AED devices at strategic points around the Port. Current AED locations include Liberty Plaza (World Tots L.A. and Boys & Girls Club of L.A. Harbor), the World Cruise Center Terminal, Port Police Headquarters, the LA Harbor Department Administration Building, the Port Pilot Station, the USS IOWA, the Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center, as well as additional remote locations.

All Port Police officers and staff receive regular AED training. This instruction is part of safety and first-responder training conducted every two years, which also covers CPR and first-aid.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $284 billion in trade during 2017. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.