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When someone is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, the availability of a defibrillator can make the difference between life and death.

Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics (l.) and Police Chief Kevin Harris accept an automated external defibrillator from Mark Spitzer, executive director of the Monongahela Valley Hospital Foundation.

The residents of Monongahela can sleep a little easier knowing that one of the City of Monongahela’s police patrol cars is now equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) through the generosity of Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH). Through the Monongahela Valley Hospital Foundation, the Hospital was able to donate the portable device to the police department.

“It was a pleasure to meet Mayor Bob Kepics and Chief Kevin Harris when they came to the Hospital to accept the defibrillator,” said Mark Spitzer, executive director of the Monongahela Valley Hospital Foundation. “On behalf of our Hospital, we are delighted to provide this life-saving device to the police to benefit the community.”

When accepting the device, Chief Harris explained the importance of having a defibrillator available to the police officers. “When an individual is in cardiac arrest, minutes count. Police typically arrive at local homes and businesses before the ambulance since we have patrol cars out in the community and the ambulance companies service many communities. By giving our officers access to a defibrillator, we can administer care that can increase a person’s survival rate by more than 60 percent.”

Monongahela Valley Hospital chose a lightweight, portable, battery-operated AED for the City of Monongahela Police Department. According to Chief Harris, the compact device will be in one of the police vehicles during every shift.

In addition to thanking Monongahela Valley Hospital and its Foundation for the generous gift, Chief Harris also expressed appreciation to Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics who approached MVH for the defibrillator. “Many years ago, Monongahela Valley Hospital provided a defibrillator to the City and we were in need of a new one for our police,” the Mayor explained. “When I approached the Hospital, they graciously agreed to donate a new one. They truly put our health first.

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