Defibrillator Adds to University Police’s First Response Capabilities

NEW PALTZ — The University Police Department at SUNY New Paltz is now equipped with a new tool to support its mission to serve and protect the campus community: the automated external defibrillator.

With the new defibrillator, the police can now administer lifesaving aid to campus members or visitors suffering a heart attack.

“University Police officers are on duty 24 hours a day. They are the first emergency scene provider, responding to emergencies on the campus,” said University Police Chief Richard Barnhart. “We feel this equipment will put us in a position to take immediate action even before an ambulance arrives.”

The University Police’s defibrillator is with one of the department’s patrolling vehicles around the clock. However, before the defibrillator became “standard patrol equipment,” all force members completed a five-hour training course on its use.

“Our community – the faculty, staff, students and the students’ families – expect us to be ready for any emergency contingency,” said Barnhart. “With this equipment and our training, we’ve added a new level of safety to the campus.”