WHAT:           Introduction of AED-equipped bus

WHO:             Little Rock Fire Department Chief Gregory Summers and Rock Region METRO Executive Director Jarod Varner

WHERE:    Rock Region METRO

                 901 Maple St.

                 North Little Rock, AR

WHEN:       11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10                       

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  –   The Little Rock Fire Department and Rock Region METRO will unveil the Central Arkansas area’s first AED-equipped bus Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, part of a public safety partnership to help save lives in an emergency situation such as sudden cardiac arrest, one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

As part of the pilot program, 20 bus drivers have received AED and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training from the Little Rock Fire Department’s Training Division.

“Making this device readily available on public transportation makes sense,” said Fire Chief Gregory Summers. “We are proud to launch this initiative with Rock Region METRO to ensure that life-saving technology as well as CPR-trained drivers are there when someone needs both the most.”

An automated external defibrillator is a portable medical device used to restore a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest, a condition in which the heart stops beating and blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Such a life-threatening event can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health.

Immediate intervention and rapid treatment is crucial in such an event. AED devices are commonly seen in public spaces such as schools and businesses for such emergencies. On the bus, the device will be placed in a compartment above the driver with an “AED Inside” sign posted. The device will be maintained by the Little Rock Safety/Loss Control specialist.

“The safety and well-being of our passengers is our top priority,” said Rock Region METRO Executive Director Jarod Varner. “While we hope there is never the occasion to have to use this AED, we are appreciative of the Little Rock Fire Department for the training and the equipment that could help save a life.”

ABOUT THE LITTLE ROCK FIRE DEPARTMENT

The nationally recognized Little Rock Fire Department protects life and property for the citizens of Little Rock through service and education. With 20 fire stations and more than 400 employees, the Fire Department provides fire and emergency services as well as a range of other community-focused initiatives, including fire safety education in schools, the Little Rock Fire Corps, the Jr. Fire Cadet Program, the Citizen Fire Academy, and Fire Safety Day. Projects throughout the year include the Beat the Heat Fan Drive, Save-a-Life Smoke Alarm Program, the Ozark Water Project Shoe Drive, and the Department of Human Services Toy Drive. The Fire Department also offers help with child seat installation, fire extinguisher training, home fire safety inspections, and blood pressure checks.

ABOUT ROCK REGION METRO

Rock Region METRO is the public transit system serving 3 million passengers per year in the cities of Little Rock, North Little Rock, Maumelle, Jacksonville and Sherwood and Pulaski County. It comprises the METRO Local fixed-route bus system, including 22 fixed routes and four express routes and covering 51,000 miles weekly; the METRO Links custom-route paratransit van system, covering 12,500 miles weekly; and the METRO Streetcar, a 3.4-mile streetcar system covering 1,080 miles weekly. Created in 1986 with an interlocal agreement among the partner jurisdictions, Rock Region METRO is governed by a 12-member board of directors who are appointed by its service cities and county. rrmetro.org

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