Supporting access to AEDs throughout the state
The New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (NHBEMS) actively supports the use of AED’s in the towns and cities throughout New Hampshire. AED devices are known to significantly improve the chance of survival in a patient experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Therefore, one of the many NHBEMS goals is to increase accessibility to AED’s in all areas of the state.
From 2002 to 2005, NHBEMS participated in a federal Department of Health & Human Services “Rural Access to Emergency Medical Devices” Grant that placed AED’s in many of the state’s rural communities. These AED placements were coordinated with assistance of the five EMS Regional Councils and community partners.
In July 2002, the New Hampshire Legislature passed Automated External Defibrillator laws regarding the intent, definitions, training, limited liability and an “AED Registry” to encourage the availability and use of AED devices throughout the state.
The “NH AED Registry” is a database of AED’s located in “fixed locations” and is a collaborative effort between and AED purchaser and NHBEMS created to record AED’s located in New Hampshire. The “AED Registry” assists NHBEMS in contacting AED owners in the event of device recalls or providing updated AED-related information. NHBEMS provides the NH Bureau of Emergency Communications (NH 911) with the AED location information for inclusion in their call screen database. When the 911 Emergency Medical Dispatcher receives an emergency call from the assigned phone number, this screen will prompt them to advise the caller about the location of the AED if needed.
The New Hampshire Bureau of Purchase and Property, Department of Administrative Services has established a statewide contract to provide reduced pricing on AED equipment. This “AED direct purchase opportunity“
is available to any New Hampshire organizations. Contact Bill Wood, Preparedness Coordinator, as noted above for additional information on this process.
School districts, in cooperation with the New Hampshire Department of Education, are actively involved in the placement of AED’s in school facilities. NHBEMS and the NH EMS for Children Project at Dartmouth (EMS-C) have created a resource document entitled “Public Access Defibrillation in New Hampshire Schools” in order to assist schools with issues surrounding AED availability. This resource document includes suggestions for implementing Public Access Defibrillation or a PAD program, ideas for placement of the machines, and information on how a school can help reduce the risk of sudden cardiac deaths.
NHBEMS, NH Department of Health and Human Services and the NH Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association have developed a HeartSafe Communities designation program for local communities. The intent is to promote and recognize the availability of accessible AED’s statewide.
Please refer to the Documents & Forms page for a complete listing of AED Materials.
Register your AED Today
RSA 153-A:32 and RSA 153-A:33 established an “AED Registry” within the Department of Safety, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (NHBEMS), for the purposes of registering AED’s being utilized within the state.
The two primary purposes of the AED Registry are to:
- identify fixed location AED’s based on the associated telephone number to the NH Enhanced 9-1-1 system for inclusion in their database. (Callers can be informed of the nearest AED during cardiac emergency calls)
- provide NHBEMS AED contact information in the event of AED recall notices, or CPR/AED protocol changes.
