Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 19, 2012

Metro to review defibrillator deployment

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles today ordered a review of the agency’s AED (automated external defibrillator) program, following a medical emergency at Pentagon Station earlier this week where an AED device did not perform as intended.

The device at Pentagon was determined to have insufficient battery charge.

The review will include an immediate inspection of all 46 defibrillators deployed in stations, which will be completed within 24 hours to ensure the devices are in good working order.

While station managers have been trained to inspect defibrillators, procedures for conducting inspections and maintenance are being strengthened to include required signed daily inspection reports to prevent a recurrence.

By April 30, Metro will complete the work it has underway to place AEDs at all station kiosks, including replacing older existing models with state-of-the-art devices.

Incident background

On Monday, April 16, a 51-year-old man died at Virginia Hospital Center after suffering an apparent heart attack aboard a Yellow Line train.

The train operator radioed for medical assistance following reports of an unconscious passenger aboard the train. Metro’s Operations Control Center promptly notified Arlington County Fire & Rescue, as well as Metro Transit Police and rail supervision. First responders arrived on scene about 5 minutes later and provided advanced life support.

News release issued at 4:24 pm, April 19, 2012.