The South Bend Police Department received an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for police cruisers at the 82nd annual state FOP conference in South Bend on Friday.

The AED was donated through the Fraternal Order of Police as part of a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

An AED can be used to treat someone with sudden cardiac arrest.

“Our thanks go out to the FOP for creating this partnership that will have a direct, positive impact

on public safety,” Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said. “Simply put, having AEDs in squad cars saves lives.”

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation provides funding, life saving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations, according to a press release from the FOP.