MILTON — The Milton Police Department has an automated external defibrillator at its main office following a donation from Firehouse Subs.
The lightweight portable device, used for emergencies, especially for those who go into cardiac arrest, was delivered to the department this week from local franchisee Tony Pietsch.
Police Chief Tony Tindell said residents would often come to the department building, located on Alabama Street, already under a lot of stress, which can potentially lead to cardiac arrest.
“There have been times in the past when we needed medical assistance at the department,” Tindell said.
Tindell said the device might also benefit officers who deal with stress as part of their profession.
Pietsch credited Firehouse Subs co-founders Chris and Robin Sorensen, who made the donation in celebration of Firehouse Subs opening its 1,000th location in Rowland Heights, Calif.
The founders donated $1 million to support the 1,000 AEDs gift campaign through the nonprofit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. 1,000 AEDs were awarded to police departments in communities served by Firehouse Subs restaurants across the country.
Pietsch said AEDs were also donated to surrounding police departments including Pensacola. Pietsch said helping local police departments is slight change for the company.
“We do a lot with local fire departments, but it is nice to help out our brothers in blue,” he said.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton PD gets lifesaving device