SUBJECTTitle
EXPANDING ACCESS TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS (AEDs) FOR PRIVATE SPORTS FACILITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Today’s action seeks to expand access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for private sports facilities, youth sports teams and similar organizations within the San Diego region. The goal is to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness where athletes and community members engage in sports or other physical activities. Given the physical nature of sports and the potential risks involved, it is essential that sports facilities and other locations where athletic activities take place are equipped this life-saving equipment. However, unfortunately many private sports facilities and organizations lack these critical devices due to financial constraints. What’s more, California State Assembly Bill 1467 (AB 1467) - a.k.a. the “Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act” - will require youth sports organizations that offer an athletic program to have access to an AED during any official practice or match, beginning January 1, 2027. While this legislation is noble, youth sports teams often rely on donations and fundraising to make large purchases. This could make complying with the bill challenging for many youth sports teams.
The County of San Diego (County) should take steps to expand access to AEDs for sports facilities and youth sports organizations throughout our region. Pursuing efforts to get AEDs into more sports facilities would result in a significantly safer environment for athletes, sports teams personnel, and spectators alike. AEDs not only enhance emergency preparedness, but their presence also demonstrates a commitment to health and safety that can have psychologically beneficial impacts on the community. It’s in this spirit that today’s item directs the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to explore opportunities to provide AEDs to private sports facilities, and youth sports teams working to comply with AB 1467. Options may include but are not limited to creating a County grant and/or rebate program to cover the costs of procuring AEDs, offer training programs for sports teams personnel, and maintenance supplies such as replacement batteries and electrode pads.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND
1) Direct the CAO to explore opportunities to expand access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for sports facilities and similar organizations such as youth sports teams, and report back within 120 days. Options may include but are not limited to developing a County grant or rebate program or partnering with a community-based organization. At a minimum, this should include:
a) Determine scope of potential grant and/or rebate programs and necessary funding amounts. This should be informed by appropriate and relevant stakeholder outreach, as determined by the CAO.
b) Determine potential program eligibility criteria. As a guiding principle, priority consideration should be given to facilities and organizations that demonstrate a financial need, lack existing AED access, and serve youth sports leagues or other high-contact sports.
c) Determine appropriate grant and/or rebate application requirements. The application process should be simple and easy to navigate.
d) Explore potential AED grant or rebate program funding source(s) and options.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
By increasing the availability of AEDs, today’s action aims to ensure access to life-saving emergency equipment for economically disadvantaged organizations and underserved communities.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
By making life-saving emergency equipment more accessible to sports facilities and similar organizations, today’s action supports the County’s commitment to prioritize and enhance the health and well-being of residents across the San Diego region.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for exploring opportunities to expand access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for sports facilities and similar organizations are included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operational Plan. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years. There may be fiscal impacts associated with future related recommendations which staff would return to the Board for consideration and approval.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of death in sports and other physical recreational activities. Though SCA is often fatal, timely access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly improve a person’s chance of survival. According to the American Heart Association, a person’s chance of surviving an SCA drops 7% to 10% every minute their heartbeat isn’t restored. Combined with CPR, the administration of an AED within minutes of an SCA can double or triple the likelihood of survival. However, despite this demonstrated effectiveness, many private sports facilities face financial barriers that make acquiring an AED challenging or simply out of reach. Having a program in place at the County to support the purchase of AEDs would be helpful to many sports organizations in the region.
Today's action would also strengthen the County’s ongoing efforts to improve access to AEDs. For example, in 2015 we launched the PulsePoint AED smartphone app, which helps identify nearby AEDs and notifies first responders of cardiac emergencies. The app also allows community members to submit AED locations for cataloging, including location, a description, and photos. Each submission is verified by San Diego Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff before being added to the app. When an alert is triggered, the app displays both the emergency location and the nearest AEDs. While this is a valuable service, community members and sports organizations have expressed a need for AEDs in more locations.
In response to this community need, and to enhance public safety more broadly, we as a local government should take steps to expand access to AEDs for sports facilities and youth sports organizations throughout our region. It’s in this spirit that today’s item directs the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to explore opportunities to provide AEDs to private sports facilities, and youth sports teams working to comply with AB 1467.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action support the Equity: Health Strategic Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
JIM DESMOND
Supervisor, Fifth District
ATTACHMENT(S)