AED Press Conference
By Benjamin DeCosta Aviation General Manager Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport	Atrium Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport February 23, 2005

Good afternoon,

I am glad to be here today with Mayor Franklin, Dr. Gandy of the American Heart Association, TSA representatives and our very own Chief Harold Miller and Captain Dennis Gray of the Airport Fire Department.

Less than 2 years ago we implemented Operation HartBeat. As part of that campaign we have installed more than 200 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Since installation, these portable medical devices have contributed to 9 life-saving rescues at our airport.

We are thankful to know that the availability of these machines in our terminal and on our concourses has been a major factor in the survival of some of our passengers. We know their families appreciate it as well.

Our AEDs are strategically placed throughout the airport, so potentially life saving defibrillation is, on average, one minute away from anyone who may need it.

At Hartsfield-Jackson our mission is to be the world’s best airport by exceeding customer expectations. And we believe that customer safety initiatives like Operation HartBeat are an important part of our customer service efforts.

About 230-thousand passengers travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on a daily basis. That is more than two times the population of Macon, Georgia.

With that number of people using the airport, and sudden cardiac arrest being a leading cause of death in the U.S. striking at least 250-thousand people annually, we are providing a tremendous public service with our AED program. And this is so important because cardiac arrest is no respecter of persons. It strikes young and old, male and female, and could strike any one of us at any moment.

Chief Miller, Captain Gray and the Airport Fire Department have done an excellent job managing this program. Thanks to both of you and the entire Fire Department for the work you have done.

In a few minutes Chief Miller will tell you a little about what we are doing to make Operation HartBeat even more exceptional. But first, let’s hear from Dr. Winston Gandy of the American Heart Association who helped us institute our program.

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