In Lee County Ordinance #00-03, the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County, Florida created the Lee County public access AED program and named Lee County Public Safety as the lead agency. In September 2008 due to the proliferation of AEDs and their availability over-the -counter, Lee County repealed the ordinance allowing the public to purchase and place AEDs without the requirement of registering them. The ordinance was repealed to allow the public to purchase AEDs without the restraints of registration and what it entailed. Lee County Public Safety continues to recommend a set minimum standards for use, training, data collection and data recovery for the public access Automated External Defibrillator program and encourages the community/individuals to register their AEDs.

The American Heart Association has determined that the key to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest is to reduce the time to deliver defibrillation therapy. Breakthroughs in technology have resulted in the availability of AEDs that are safe and effective for use by lay persons with minimal training in rapidly delivering a defibrillatory shock. The widespread availability of AEDs makes sudden cardiac death a truly treatable disease and save hundreds of lives. It is in the public interest to make AEDs readily available within the community and that the public be trained to properly use AEDs and to immediately activate the emergency medical services system immediately upon using an AED.

In order to establish a public access AED program, the following criteria is recommended:

1. Training designated rescuers in CPR and how to use the AED.
   1. Anyone expected to use an AED should be trained in how to use it and in CPR.
   2. Lee County EMS, as well as your local fire district, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or your local hospital, offer courses.
   3. The Heartsaver AED course offered by Lee County EMS lasts about 4 hours with participants receiving a course completion card after successfully demonstrating skills proficiency through written and performance evaluation.
2. Having physician oversight to help ensure quality control.
   1. The FDA requires a physician's prescription to buy an AED.
3. Integrating with the local EMS system.
   1. Lee County EMS requests a series of information related to the placement of an AED for public access. This information must be updated on a annual basis.
   2. Lee County EMS needs to know where AEDs are placed in a facility and how the facility plans to respond to a cardiac emergency. This information can be integrated into the public dispatch system and will aid when 911 is called.
      Register Device Online
4. Using and maintaining AEDs according to the manufacturer's specifications.
   1. It's important for users to be trained to use of their specific device in a manner that it was intended to be used.
   2. AEDS require upkeep and regularly scheduled maintenance will ensure their readiness in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Lee County Public Safety encourages registration of publicly accessible AEDs by providing the following information:
· Facility or Business Name
· Street Address
· Specific Location of the AED
· Approximate annual number of people who work, live, or visit the location
· Total number of persons trained or to be trained to use AED
· Name of manufacturer of the AED
· AED Model Type/Number
· Quantity of AED’s purchased
· Contact Name
· Contact Phone Number
· Contact E-mail Address

Register Device Online and update on an annual basis.

Information related to AEDs

Complete List of Publicly Accessible Defibrillators registered with Lee County

Lee County Ordinance #00-03 - repealed September 2008

Florida Statute 401.2915 Automated external defibrillators.--

Florida Statute 768.13 Good Samaritan Act; immunity from civil liability.--

Florida Statute 768.1325 Cardiac Arrest Survival Act (CASA); immunity from civil liability.--

List of FDA Approved AEDs