Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Idaho Bill Helps Make AEDs More Accessible

Idaho has a reason to celebrate! This year, the state successfully passed a bill to protect businesses that want to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in their buildings from liability, helping to make AEDs more accessible to more people. Before the passage of this bill, many Idaho businesses wanted to place AEDs in their workplaces or public places, yet refused to do so fearing law suits.

The campaign started at a local Go Red for Women event, where Boise Mayor David Beiter, shared his experience with an AED. During a council meeting, an individual in the audience went into cardiac arrest. Fortunately, an AED placed in city hall was used to save this person’s life. After sharing his experience, Mayor Beiter got 300 participants at the event to sign petition postcards to state legislators, showing their support of this life-saving legislation.

Brad Dixon, the chair of AHA’s Idaho State Advocacy Advisory Committee, led the volunteer effort to meet with key legislators on the committees who would decide this bill’s fate. Using his experience as an attorney and a You’re the Cure advocate, his expertise was invaluable to shaping and moving the legislation.

Congratulations Idaho You’re the Cure advocates on the passage of this critical legislation!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Done Idaho! Someday a family who's loved one is saved will thank you for your efforts.

Anonymous said...

Way to go Idaho!!

I hope that California will follow suit. I am the mom of Olivia who died of sudden cardiac arrest, April 22, 2004 at the age of 14. Olivia's death just possibly might have been prevented if I had known she had a heart condition. If had known that an AED could have saved her life.

CALIFORNIA please listen to the pleas of all of us bereaved parents.

Corinne Ruiz