EMS, First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

EMS / First aid

As the emergency responder first on scene, Officers are trained in First aid with forty hours of training in the Police academy.  While some Croton Officers have pursued Emergency Medical Technician training on their own time, it is not a part of Croton Police Department training.  

The items carried by Croton Police while extensive, do not need to be as comprehensive as some rural areas due to the extremely fast response time of the Croton Ambulance and Fire services.

Items carried in the Police Officer’s First Aid kit:

• Tourniquet
• Bandages
• Oxygen
• Breathing assist equipment for infants, children, and adults
• Ice packs
• Burn treatment

Officers are trained yearly in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation / CPR for infants, children, and adults.

Narcan

Naloxone HCI (Narcan) is carried by Croton Police Officers.  Narcan has the potential to reverse the effects of opioids and as first on the scene responders, Croton police officers use of Narcan is of immeasurable value to those suffering an overdose of opioids.  Narcan has the potential to stabilize a patient until the paramedics and EMTs can arrive and transport an overdose patient to the hospital.

AED

All patrol cars are equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) to allow officers to assist people in sudden cardiac arrest.  AED devices are strategically placed throughout the Municipal building and in the Croton Schools. While paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians are essential to treat and transport a cardiac arrest patient to the hospital, Officers are generally the first on the scene and their ability to render timely aid is invaluable.   An AED is used to restore a regular heart rhythm during cardiac arrest.  For each minute of delayed defibrillation, survival odds are reduced by 10%[i].   The training and access to an AED is of utmost importance for those suffering cardiac arrest.  Croton officers undergo training for certification in the use of an AED.