Fort Worth patrol vehicles to receive AED devices in effort to boost cardiac arrest survival rates
Fort Worth, Texas – The American Heart Association is advancing a major public safety effort in Tarrant County by helping equip patrol vehicles operated by the Fort Worth Police Department with automated external defibrillators, commonly known as AEDs. The initiative aims to expand community access to lifesaving technology while supporting the association’s national goal of doubling survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by 2030. The effort also supports its Nation of Lifesavers initiative, which seeks to ensure that anyone, anywhere, is prepared and empowered to act during a cardiac emergency.
In January, the Fort Worth City Council approved acceptance of a donation from the American Heart Association to equip patrol vehicles with AED devices. Funding for the donation was made possible through support from local institutions, including the Amon G. Carter Foundation. Their early commitment encouraged additional partners to join the effort, including the Sid W. Richardson Foundation and BNSF Railway. BNSF has been among the earliest supporters of the Nation of Lifesavers initiative nationwide, including the local project in Fort Worth.
A Community Driven Plan to Strengthen Survival Response
Tarrant County is one of only three pilot markets in the United States selected to establish a Nation of Lifesavers Committee. The committee works to unite leaders from education, healthcare, public safety, and business sectors to coordinate local strategies and strengthen the chain of survival in emergency situations.
The concept of placing AEDs in patrol vehicles emerged during a committee working session, where members explored practical ways to reduce response times and improve survival rates from cardiac arrest. Participants identified equipping patrol cars as a high-impact solution that could significantly strengthen Fort Worth’s emergency response system. Committee members collaborate closely with American Heart Association staff and include representatives from school districts, public safety agencies, healthcare organizations, and local businesses.
The Fort Worth Police Department has approximately 1,800 officers and operates a fleet of about 450 patrol vehicles. Through this initiative, 150 patrol cars will be equipped with AEDs, expanding the number of units prepared to respond quickly to cardiac emergencies. The devices will be placed in key vehicles deployed during both daytime and evening patrol shifts.
Next steps include purchasing AED units, installing them in patrol vehicles, training officers on their use, and deploying AED-equipped patrol cars across the city. Because officers are often already near emergency scenes, having AEDs readily available can significantly reduce the time to defibrillation, one of the most critical factors influencing survival.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurring each year. Approximately 90 percent of these incidents are fatal. About 70 percent occur at home, and only 41 percent of victims receive CPR from a bystander before emergency responders arrive. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. For adults and teens, Hands-Only CPR is highly effective during cardiac arrest situations, yet only about 12 percent of victims receive a shock from a bystander-applied AED.
By expanding access to AEDs and strengthening emergency response readiness, local leaders hope to increase survival rates and ensure that more lives can be saved when every second counts.
