More lives could be saved in Fort Worth as patrol cars add lifesaving technology
FORT WORTH, February 17, 2026 — The American Heart Association is taking bold action to strengthen emergency response in Tarrant County by helping equip Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) patrol cars with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), expanding community access to lifesaving technology. This effort supports the Association’s national goal to double survival from out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest by 2030 and advances its Nation of Lifesavers initiative, which strives to ensure that anyone, anywhere is prepared and empowered to act during a cardiac emergency.
In January, the Fort Worth City Council authorized acceptance of a donation from the American Heart Association to equip FWPD patrol vehicles with AEDs. The donation was made possible through support from local institutions, including the Amon G. Carter Foundation. Their early commitment helped inspire additional partners, including the Sid W. Richardson Foundation and BNSF Railway. BNSF was among the first generous funders to support Nation of Lifesavers across the country, including this local effort.
Tarrant County is one of three pilot markets nationwide to establish a Nation of Lifesavers Committee. The committee’s role is to unite leaders across education, healthcare, public safety, and business, coordinate local strategies, and drive initiatives to strengthen the community’s chain of survival.
The effort to help provide AED's for patrol cars stemmed from an idea generated during a Tarrant County Nation of Lifesavers Committee working session, where members brainstormed innovative ways to cut response times and increase survival rates from cardiac arrest. Committee members identified getting AEDs into patrol cars as a high‑impact, locally driven solution that could strengthen Fort Worth’s chain of survival.
FWPD has approximately 1,800 officers and a fleet of about 450 patrol cars. This initiative will provide 150 patrol cars with AEDs, expanding the number of units ready to respond by having the additional lifesaving technology in key vehicles, including those deployed during both day and evening shifts.
Next steps include purchasing AED devices, get them into the vehicles, training officers, and deploying AED‑equipped units across the city. Because officers are often already at, or close to scenes where emergencies arise, the availability of AEDs in patrol vehicles significantly strengthens the chain of survival by shortening the time to defibrillation, which is one of the strongest predictors of survival.
“When police arrive with an AED, they become an essential link in the chain of survival,” said Matt Zavadsky, volunteer co-chair of the Tarrant County Nation of Lifesavers Committee and Vice President at PWW Advisory Group. “Every minute counts. This will save lives.”
“Having AEDs in our patrol vehicles equips up with the right tools when seconds matter,” said Cynthia Wood, Public Information Officer for the Fort Worth Police Department. “This partnership will have an immediate and lasting impact on the safety of our community.”
Why AED access matters
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 350,000 out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrests occurring each year, and 90% of them are fatal. About 70% occur at home, and only 41% of people receive CPR from a bystander before emergency responders arrive. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. For adults and teens, Hands‑Only CPR is highly effective during a cardiac arrest, but only 12% of those victims receive a shock from a bystander-applied AED.
About the Tarrant County Nation of Lifesavers Committee
The Tarrant County Nation of Lifesavers Committee is co‑chaired by Matt Zavadsky, Executive Vice President, PWW Advisory Group, and Hatice Dalton, Senior Manager, Deloitte. The committee works cooperatively with American Heart Association staff and includes members affiliated with school districts, public safety agencies, healthcare institutions, and local businesses.
Committee member affiliations:
- Baylor Scott & White, The Heart Hospital
- Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD)
- Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD)
- Deloitte
- HCA Healthcare
- Hurst‑Euless‑Bedford Independent School District (HEB ISD)
- MedStar
- Medical City Alliance
- PWW Advisory Group
- Reinhausen
Anyone looking to support or join the Nation of Lifesavers Committee in Tarrant County can reach out to Jordan Campos via Jordan.Campos@heart.org for next steps.
Learn CPR • Save a life
This American Heart Month, the American Heart Association encourages all community members to learn Hands‑Only CPR, a simple skill that takes minutes to learn and enables anyone to become the first responder until help arrives. Learn more at heart.org/nationoflifesavers.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Lindsey Lyons Jones
Phone: 214-441-4114
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
