More businesses and public places around Austin could be required to have onsite automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, with the expansion of local requirements advanced by City Council this fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone\u2019s heart stops, seconds could be the difference between life and death. By expanding access to lifesaving defibrillators, we can support first responders, strengthen public health and make sure lifesaving care reaches Austinites wherever they are,” council member Vanessa Fuentes said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The overview<\/p>\n
Today, Austin code requires AED placement in buildings that are more than 75 feet tall. Many city facilities are also equipped with AEDs, although there are no formal rules about locating the devices in public buildings.<\/p>\n
Austin is now moving to mandate defibrillator access in spaces like restaurants, stores, gyms, venues and recreation centers under a resolution<\/a> initiated by Fuentes and unanimously backed by local officials Sept. 24. New rules could also be added to:<\/p>\n Equip all city public safety vehicles with AEDs<\/p>\n Require emergency response plans in all locations where AEDs are placed<\/p>\n Offer more AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, training to both city employees and residents<\/p>\n Improve AED registration and tracking citywide<\/p>\n Updates on those directives from council are expected before next summer. The city didn’t confirm how AED registration and compliance is currently tracked, or respond to requests for comment about the council proposal or the impacts of Austin’s existing Public Access Defibrillation Programs<\/a>, as of press time.<\/p>\n Put in perspective<\/p>\n