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Starting an AED program, whether it be for a youth sports program, school, business or organization, doesn't take place in a vacuum. It requires a commitment and input from experts, widespread public support, and a committee comprised of people willing to work hard to make it a reality.
Diverse Without Being Unwieldy
In order to gain broad-based community support, the committee should be comprised of "movers and shakers" in the community, bringing to the committee different talents and perspectives, and representing different constituencies within your community.
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The committee should be as diverse as possible without becoming too large.
The groups from which you will want to recruit members will depend on the size of the AED program you envision and the group it intends to serve.
If you intend to start a Community Access Defibrillation Program (CAD) serving your entire community, you will want representation from all segments of the community, both public and private.
If you plan to buy two or three AEDs for a travel soccer program, members are more likely to be drawn from individuals already involved with the program, such as parents, administrators, and coaches.
Casting The Recruiting Net
Committee members should represent important and influential groups in the community, be high-level decision-makers and demonstrate commitment to the cause. Here are some of the types of people you should consider asking to join your committee:
Organization Members
Management or administration. Support from the top of your organization is critical.
Elected officials (Mayor, town/city manager, city council members/ Selectpersons)
School management (School board members, principals, athletic directors)
Employees/parents/coaches.
Safety committee or Emergency Response team.
Advocates
AED champions. Perhaps the most important member of your committee. He or she is someone who is passionate about the cause itself: a parent who has lost a child, an employee with a heart condition, a volunteer fire fighter or EMT who knows first-hand the value of AED; and
AED opponents. As strange it may sound, having someone on the committee who is either neutral toward the idea of AEDs or opposed to them completely is a good idea. It is important at the outset to identify what opposition you will face at the committee level before making recommendations for your entire organization. If you can convince the skeptics on the committee, you will go a long way towards selling the program to a larger audience.
Public Safety
Safety committee or Emergency Response team Fire or Police Chief
Emergency Medical Services: Because any AED program you implement will require coordination with the existing Emergency Medical System in your community, having the EMS Coordinator, paramedics, or EMTs on your committee is important.
Healthcare System
Healthcare practitioners: Not only can doctors and nurses provide expert advice on developing and implementing an AED program but the eventual involvement of a physician is required, if only to write the prescription required by the FDA to purchase an AED. For advice on obtaining medical direction for your AED program, click here.
American Red Cross/American Heart Association. Because AED and CPR training is an essential part of any AED program, and is often mandated by state law, it is a good idea to include on the committee someone from the local chapter of one of the major CPR training groups (e.g., American Heart Association, American Red Cross)
Civic leaders/community activists (Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Elks) (important for fundraising; community support).
Senior citizen groups (for a CAD)
Local media personalities and celebrities (e.g., television or newspapers)
Limited Time Commitment
A committee to determine whether and how to implement an AED program does not need to meet forever. Its work can usually be accomplished in a few months, after which it may only need to meet on a quarterly (or annual) basis.
Article Updated: July 6, 2006 Published March 4, 2004
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