Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Emergency Management Director Richard Sheirer and City officials announced the implementation of the largest municipal public access defibrillator program in the world. The life-saving defibrillators are being placed in dozens of City-owned facilities in all five boroughs, including recreation centers, parks, on ferry boats, and in senior centers. A defibrillator is a device that administers an electric shock through the chest in an attempt to restore the normal rhythm of the heart. The Mayor first announced the defibrillator program in his last State of the City address.

Also joining the Mayor for the announcement were New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall, New York City Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Henry J. Stern and Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert Stupp.

"In 1997, some 30,000 people in New York City lost their lives to heart disease," the Mayor said. "We know that nationally, survival rates for heart attack victims can be 50% higher if a defibrillator is used within the first six minutes after the onset of a heart attack. In human terms, that 50% represents an opportunity to help save the lives of 15,000 New Yorkers every year. I want to thank the men and women who have undergone the necessary training to operate this life saving device."

Richard J. Sheirer, under whose direction the defibrillator project was developed and implemented, provided a preliminary timetable for the installation of defibrillators citywide. "Right now, we're deploying 70 of these defibrillators at City parks, pools and ferry boats. Within the next few years, our ultimate objective is to have 1,500 defibrillators deployed in all City facilities, significantly increasing survival rates for heart attack victims."

Fire Commissioner Von Essen said, "Each year in the United States over 350,000 people suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. That's nearly 1,000 everyday. Research has shown that early defibrillation within the first few minutes after sudden cardiac arrest, coupled with advanced care, greatly increases the survival rate. These new Public Access Defibrillators will help the Fire Department to complete the "Chain of Survival" in New York City, by allowing the trained civilian bystander to rapidly provide this first and sometimes most important link in the chain."

Parks Commissioner Henry Stern said, "Parks is pleased to receive 47 defibrillators to be placed at our recreation centers, Olympic pools, and golf courses. They are an important addition to our Parks facilities and will help save lives. Trained Parks staff are prepared to use the defibrillators when necessary."

Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall said, "At the Department of Transportation, our primary goal is safety. By Wednesday, the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan and the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island will have a defibrillator, as well as every single one of our Ferry boats. We have trained 120 employees, so each Ferry boat -- all hours of the day and night -- will include someone who is trained in proper defibrillator usage. We soon will train 120 additional employees. We believe this is a crucial service to provide to our 65,000 daily commuters."

The defibrillator -- which costs approximately $3,000 -- is designed to be operated by individuals with little or no experience in emergency medicine. Each machine is self-programmed to international standards, and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For ease of operation and enhanced reliability, each defibrillator pack comes equipped with two rechargeable batteries, two sets of electrode pads, and a fast pack, containing a mask (should mouth-to-mouth resuscitation be necessary), gloves, and a special antibacterial cleaner.

Despite the numerous safeguards incorporated into each defibrillator assembly, it is very simple to operate the device. A microprocessor analyzes a person's heart rate, while an internal computer determines whether a shock is warranted or not. Easy-to-understand directions assist the user in placing the electrode packs on the victim's chest, then administering the lifesaving shock.

When fully implemented, the defibrillator access program will provide added health and safety to the residents of elderly communities, parks, and ferry commuters, as well as the thousands of New Yorkers who work at or visit the City's administrative and operational facilities.

All medical control and quality assurance aspects of the initiative have been supervised by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). The Mayor's Office of Emergency Management recognizes and appreciates the assistance of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the New York City Fire Department (NYFD) and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) in implementing this program.

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