(Lawrenceville, Ga., Nov. 17, 2009) - Gwinnett commissioners Tuesday night accepted the donation of an automatic external defibrillator, known as an AED, from the Southern Cardiac Arrest Association of Greater Atlanta.

Fire and Emergency Services' spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said he worked with Lisa Williams, a registered nurse at the VA Hospital in Atlanta, who called him offering the donation. He said, "Sudden cardiac arrest kills a quarter million people a year in the United States. Survival chances increase by more than 50 percent if the victim gets debrillation treatment within five minutes."

The $1,327 device will be given to the Fire Explorer Cadets who help provide first aid stations at various public events under the direction of County paramedics. The Cadets are students, ages 14 to 19, with an interest in pursuing careers in fire and emergency services.?

Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers said, "We appreciate this generous donation of lifesaving equipment and will put it to good use both in our training and as we serve residents and visitors in Gwinnett."

More information on the SCAA of Greater Atlanta is at www.suddencardiacarrest.org while information on AED training and the Fire Explorer program can be found at the County's website, www.gwinnettcounty.com.