Res. No. 515
Title
Resolution calling on New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make automated external defibrillators available at every subway and Staten Island Railway station.
Body
By Council Members Ulrich, Borelli, Constantinides and Yeger
Whereas, According to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), New York City experiences higher than average instances of death by diseases of the heart, accounting for 17,125 deaths, or 31.6% of total deaths, in 2015; and
Whereas, According to the American Red Cross, an automated external defibrillator (AED) is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest and is an easy to operate tool for someone with no medical background; and
Whereas, For each minute defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival is reduced by approximately 10 percent, and more than 95 percent of patients who receive defibrillation shock in the first minute of cardiac arrest survive; and
Whereas, To increase the likelihood of survival for those who experience cardiac arrest, New York State implemented legislation ensuring AEDs are available in public schools, locations hosting public school-sponsored athletic contests or practices, places of public assembly with a capacity of at least 1,000 people, and health clubs with 500 or more members; and
Whereas, New York City requires AEDs to be kept in many publicly-accessible locations, including public buildings maintained by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, at least six parks under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation in each borough, ferry terminals owned and operated by the City of New York served by ferry boats with a passenger capacity of one thousand or more persons, nursing homes, senior centers, golf courses, stadia, arenas, and health clubs that have a membership of at least 250 people; and
Whereas, Local Law 57 of 2016, as amended by Local ...
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