SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor George H. Ryan today announced grants totaling $750,000 to 468 government agencies and emergency medical services providers for the purchase of portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

"Studies have found that prompt use of defibrillators-before a person reaches the hospital-more than doubles a cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival," Ryan said. "The grants I am announcing today will help bring this life-saving technology to more areas of Illinois."

Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, said defibrillators can revive victims of sudden cardiac arrest with electrical jolts administered at precise intervals, and can stop irregular heart contractions and restore the heart's natural beating pattern.

Funding for the AEDs was included in the Fiscal Year 2001 budget for a one-time grant program to purchase and distribute the devices throughout the state. More than 550 applications were received from emergency medical services providers, local governments and law enforcement. Thirty-three grant recipients received money to purchase two AEDs and the remainder received money for one AED.

A selection committee made up of representatives from the American Heart Association and the Illinois Department of Public Health's Division of Emergency Medical Services and Highway Safety recommended those who should receive the AEDs. Rural and volunteer first responders and ambulance providers were given top priority, followed by local governments that demonstrated economic hardship, public buildings and law enforcement.

Each grantee will be provided with the funding necessary to purchase an AED through a state negotiated contract price of $1,497 from Laerdal Medical Corporation. The bid price for the Headstart FR2 Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator was about half the market price and allowed for the purchase of more AEDs than expected. In addition, the state was able to secure the special price for any governmental unit that would like to purchase an AED between now and March 31, 2002.