The heartREstart program is an initiative to place more than 700 AED's in police cars in Mecklenburg County.

Research conducted by the National Center for Early Defibrillation suggests that creating first responders to enhance the EMS system is one of the most effective ways to further enhance prehospital medical care. Other communities that have deployed AEDs with police have seen significant increases in survival rates.

The American Heart Association estimates that 50,000 lives nationally can be saved each year if AEDs were more available in the community. The overall goal of this project is to place more than 700 AEDs in police vehicles throughout Mecklenburg County. It is one of the largest initiatives of its kind, establishing this area as an innovative leader in helping its citizens overcome this often-fatal medical crisis.   Davidson, Huntersville, Mint Hill, Cornelius, Pineville and Matthews have equipped their police vehicles with AED's.  Charlotte will follow when fundraising efforts are completed in each community.

AED Initiative partners include the American Heart Association, Medic, each police department  in the community, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Since the program's beginnings, thousands of dollars have been contributed to this effort.  Your assistance has enable these departments to participate:

Cornelius-28 Aed's, more than $40,000

Davidson-15 Aed's, more than $20,000

Huntersville- 34 Aed's, nearly $60,000

Matthews-55 Aed's, more than $70,000

Mint Hill-24 Aed's, more than $20,000

Pineville-32 Aed's, more than $32,000

The Heart ReStart Program has already saved at least one life.  On January 15th, 2006, Sgt Corey Copley of the Pineville Police Department responded to a cardiac arrest call at Tony Roma's restaurant on Hwy 51 in Pineville.  He was able to use the defibrillator to restart the heart of a man who had been eating in the restaurant.