Every police car in Ripley, Franklin County now has AED

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – Every police car in Ripley and Franklin County now has a life-saving medical device. 

A ceremony was held at Margaret Mary Health on Monday where each agency received automated external defibrillators (AEDs). 

An AED is a life-saving tool that can be used when someone experiences a cardiac emergency. They are easy to use and can increase the survival rate by 40 percent 

There were 74 AED’s donated following $148,000 being raised through donations. 

It was made possible through the Christ Hospital Health Network’s Project Heart Restart initiative which has purchased over 500 AED’s across the Tri-State. 

Organizations that provided substantial contributions include Margaret Mary Health, the Ripley County Community Foundation, the Franklin County Community Foundation, Cintas, ZOLL Medical and the Rotary Club of Cincinnati. 

Franklin County Sheriff Peter Cates says these donations are another tool that allows deputies to serve the community to the best of their ability. 

“We have a really great EMS but they can’t always be somewhere automatically. With us having 1.5 million visitors through the course of the year, you never know what situations may arise, and this will allow us to start the process and keep someone alive until additional help arrives,” Sheriff Cates said. 

Those who presented during the ceremony included MMH CEO Liz Leising, Christ Hospital Health Network President Debbie Hayes, Ripley an Franklin County Community Foundation executive directors Amy Streator and Shelly Lunsford, Ripley County Sheriff Rob Bradley as well as representatives from Cintas, ZOLL Medical and the Rotary Club of Cincinnati.

RELATED: The mother of a South Dearborn cheerleader suffered a cardiac emergency during a basketball game in January 2024. She was saved by the quick actions of bystanders and an AED. Read that story by clicking here.

Here are some photos from Monday's donation ceremony: