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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 12, 2024 09:38 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Brennan |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Requiring that Defibrillators be in Every State Building (Former HB908) |
You have seen news articles about Allegheny County native and Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin’s tragic injury and subsequent out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The chance of surviving a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital is as low as 10 percent, so every second counts. Immediate delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can improve these odds significantly and reduce the possibility of permanent impairments. Unfortunately, despite available technology, an AED is only used about 6 percent of the time. Trauma, such as what Mr. Hamlin experienced, is not the only cause of cardiac arrest. It can happen to anyone at any time. Our main job in government is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Pennsylvania residents, and we must be prepared to do this at a moment’s notice. That is why I am introducing legislation requiring that every state building in Pennsylvania be equipped with an obviously displayed and regularly maintained AED. By ensuring quick access to AEDs, we can increase the odds that an individual experiencing cardiac arrest will survive. Please join me in supporting this commonsense measure that will save lives and prevent long-term health complications for our residents. |