DES gains safety tool, protects Polk in emergencies

By Zach Morgan, Fort Polk Guardian staff writerDecember 14, 2009

DES gains safety tool, protects Polk in emergencies
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT POLK, La. -- Few situations are worse than arriving on a scene where someone's life is at stake and not having the right training or equipment to deal with the situation. Fort Polk's Directorate of Emergency Services has taken steps to reduce the chance of that happening. In September, DES police received 10 Lifeline automatic electronic defibrillators and has fielded them this month in patrol cars on post.

While not every patrol car will have a defibrillator, there will be at least one in each of Fort Polk's four patrol areas at all times. Officer Mark Kampfer, DES police, is also a volunteer firefighter off-post and has received emergency medical technician-basic credentials.

Since DES received the AEDs, Kampfer has trained the rest of the police on post in their use. The majority of Fort Polk's patrolmen are already trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, but the AED will supplement that training and add to patients' survivability in cardiac arrest emergencies.

"Some cases do not need a shock, CPR is enough," Kampfer said, "but the AED analyzes the heart's rhythm and notifies the user whether a shock is necessary."

DES has utilized Kampfer's additional skills in a "train the trainer" manner, and he has been able to "bring the rest of the patrolmen up to speed on the equipment," he said.

All of DES's fire apparatus have AEDs and the firefighters are already trained in their use, but police officers are usually the first on the scene in an emergency. The equipment is easy to use and includes electrode pads sized for adult and child patients. "AEDs save lives," Kampfer said. "I would encourage everyone to take a CPR and AED class."

Education is a critical component of helping someone survive cardiac arrest, but patient education can also be crucial. "If you think you're having a heart attack, call 911," Kampfer said. "I'd rather err on the side of caution. We can help reduce the number of deaths from cardiac arrest if the public is more aware."

It is easy to misperceive the police - that they just drive around and give tickets - but they have an important role at each emergency scene. "We are a viable tool to be used in an emergency situation," Kampfer said. "The defibrillator increases our capabilities. We're not just knuckleheads with blue lights on our cars going around arresting people. We're here to protect the military community."

"Cardiac arrest is one of the biggest killers in the U.S.," said Lt. Col. James Marshall, Fort Polk Provost Marshal. "Time is of the essence during a cardiac case. Every minute that goes by, a patient loses 10 percent survivability. These devices buy us time."

DES integrated AED familiarization into its training cycle as soon as the first ones arrived. When the police went to the range to conduct weapons qualification, they moved directly into AED training after firing their weapons. "The colonel doesn't like to waste time, especially when it comes to protecting the community, and I'm not one to argue, because I'm an advocate of the AED," Kampfer said. "It will help save someone's life."