County grants four AEDs to Road Rangers patrolling I-4 in Volusia County
The Florida Department of Transportation’s Road Rangers never know what they might come across or who may need their help when patrolling the I-4 section of Volusia County. Now, thanks to a grant from the county’s Emergency Medical Services Division, they will be even more prepared and the first in the Central Florida area to carry portable Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
“Eight people are alive today in Volusia County, thanks to ordinary citizens using AEDs that we have placed throughout the county over the past two years,” said Matt Zavadsky, county Emergency Medical Services director. “This innovative addition to the Road Ranger’s capability will help make our community even safer to people who may suffer a medical emergency on our highways. We are honored to have forged this partnership.”
Since Volusia County set its goal in 2001 of making AEDs available in as many areas as possible, more than 145 AEDs have been placed throughout the county in public facilities. The cost of each unit is $1,039, and they are paid for with grant monies from the state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Trust Fund, which uses part of the fees from speeding tickets issued in Volusia County.
The Road Rangers provide free highway assistance services during incidents to reduce delay and improve safety for the public and emergency responders. The Road Rangers are roving vehicles which patrol congested areas and high incident locations of the urban freeway and are equipped, as a minimum, with cell phones, first aid kits, 2-ton jacks, fire extinguishers, flashing arrow board, 5 gallons of sand, air compressor, reflective cones, booster cables, wood blocks, auto fluids, flares, radiator water, and a public address system.
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Volusia County, Florida.
