House Republican Press Release

February 26, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Perillo Supports Measure to Require Defibrillators in Health Clubs

HARTFORD- State Representative Jason Perillo (R-113) today testified in favor of legislation that would require make it easier to place automatic external defibrillators in public and private buildings.  The bill, HB 5503, is currently before the General Law Committee. Perillo, who serves as Chief of Echo Hose Ambulance in Shelton, said that increased access to the devices would increase the likelihood of lives being saved.

“This bill is designed to bolster the presence of defibrillators for public access throughout the state – a goal in which I believe very strongly,” said Perillo. “I have seen first hand the importance of early defibrillation in the treatment of cardiac arrest.  Stated very simply, it saves lives.”

 Perillo added, “For every minute that goes by in the event of cardiac arrest, the odds of saving a life decline by 10%.  Given this statistic, it is no surprise that ambulances in even the best EMS systems often cannot arrive at the scene of a cardiac arrest in time.  Thus, public access defibrillation is tremendously valuable and it is essential that we work in concert with businesses and property owners to place defibrillators throughout our communities.”

Perillo was particularly supportive of the “Good Samaritan” provision of the bill, which expands liability protection for the use of defibrillators, which he says has been an obstacle to expanding the availability of the devices.

The AED device is used to treat cardiac arrest by automatically analyzing heart rhythm, and delivering a shock if necessary to restore normal heart rhythm.