The chart to the left presents funding of the Delaware Public Access to
Defibrillators (PAD) Program from fiscal year 2001 through 2006. The 2006 data is the budgeted funding.
The chart shows that funding for AEDs comes from two sources. The first funding
source is the Health Funding Advisory Committee [HFAC]. These $ are tobacco settlement $. The second source
is the Rural Access grant. This funding is from the federal Rural Access to Emergency Devices grant program.
Note that funding from the HFAC dropped significantly from 2001 thorugh
2005. This funding represents less than 1% of the total tobacco $ received by Delaware. The Office of EMS was
able obtain an increase in funding for 2006. However, the increased budget only represents 1.7% of the total
$ recieved.
Although the Rural Access funding has been somewhat consistent, the
OEMS has to apply for the Rural Access gant periodically. Therfore, the funding is not guarenteed.
Funding in 2006 will be used to purchase new Medtronic LifePak CR Plus Express
AEDs. These will be distributed to existing and new PAD clients. In trade the clients, such as all of the high
schools, will return their present LifePak 500s to the Office of EMS. These LifPak 500s will be refurbished and redeployed
to First Responders.
If you feel, as I do, that the funding needs to be further increased, please
contact your State Representative. Keep in mind that even as the cost of decrease, AEDs (Medtronic LifePak CR Plus Express)
still cost $1100 - $1200 each.