Rural AED Project

Over the past four years, HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) Office of Rural Health Policy has made available federal grant funds to help place AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in rural communities throughout  the Country.  In Washington State, rural AED grant funds were made available to each EMS & trauma region to purchase and place AEDs for public use in rural areas within their region.  For the purpose of this grant, rural was defined as areas that are eligible to receive Rural Health Grants.

In the Central Region, communities with the zipcode 98288 meet the rural criteria.  These communities include Skykomish, Grotto and Bering.  During the course of the grant, Central Region with the help of James Knisley of Skykomish Fire Department, placed one AED with the Steven's Pass Ski Patrol and three AEDs for use on State Partrol vehicles that operate in the 98288 area.  Though the Rural AED Grant Program has ended, the Central Region EMS and Trauma Care Council is committed to maintaining public AED access within rural communities in King County. 

• For public agencies including schools, libraries and community centers within zipcode 98288, contact Merrili Owens, Central Region EMS & Trauma Care Council for assistance in purchasing a Zoll AED.
• For prehospital agencies only: contact Department of Health Office of EMS & Trauma regarding Needs Grants applications. Central Region staff are available to assist with completing the Needs Grant application.
• For persons and organizations wishing to donate a used AED still under warrantee, please contact Barbara Welles at King County EMS. (206) 205-5582 or contact Medtronics 760-944-1048/email aeddonation@aedgrant.com.
• Free or lower cost AED's may be obtained through Medtronics aedgrant.com.