TAMPA, FL. (June 23, 2025) – – The Tampa Police Department is proud to announce a significant enhancement to officer safety and community well-being through the generous donations of Tampa Bay hospitals and corporate partners all working together to achieve this goal: Advent Health, BayCare (St. Joseph’s Hospital), HCA Florida Healthcare, Tampa General Hospital, OnX, and ZOLL. This collaborative effort will allow Tampa Police to outfit every patrol vehicle with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
“This incredible initiative, made possible by the unwavering support of our Tampa Bay hospitals and corporate partners, truly exemplifies what it means to be Tampa Strong,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “Equipping every patrol vehicle with AEDs empowers our officers to be first responders in critical cardiac emergencies, turning every police car into a potential life-saving unit. This is a testament to our community’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, ensuring that together, we are building an even safer and healthier Tampa for everyone.”
“This critical equipment will undoubtedly make our community safer,” said Chief Lee Bercaw. “Having AEDs readily available in every patrol vehicle will allow our officers to provide immediate assistance for cardiac emergencies, potentially saving more lives. We are deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of all our partners who are helping us make Tampa safer, together.”
The funding and resources for this initiative were made possible through donations made to Rise Tampa, Our Police Foundation.
“This remarkable collaboration truly embodies our foundation’s motto of ‘Supporting Those Who Protect & Serve,’ by providing our officers with essential tools that can make a life-saving difference,” said Andreas Dettlaff, Vice-President of Rise Tampa, Our Police Foundation . “We are incredibly proud to facilitate this partnership and share our commitment to the safety and well-being of every Tampa Police Officer and the community we all call home.”
Today’s historic announcement marks a pivotal moment for public health and safety in Tampa. Leaders from the Tampa Bay area hospitals and corporate partners who collaborated on this initiative each shared their unique perspectives:
“When emergencies strike, every second counts. Knowing that every Tampa police patrol car will soon be equipped with an AED, and our law enforcement officers will have the tools to provide immediate medical assistance if needed, is a game changer. Tampa General is proud to support the Tampa Police Department and partner with these other health systems in our shared commitment to this community.”
~ John Couris, President & CEO, Tampa General Hospital
“Our health system is committed to improving the health of all we serve, and this is a natural extension of our mission. By equipping our police with AEDs, St. Joseph’s Hospital is proud to contribute to this initiative for our community, ensuring immediate, high-quality assistance for those in critical need, precisely when it matters most.”
~ Phil Minden, President, BayCare/St. Joseph’s Hospital
“At HCA Florida Healthcare, our hearts beat with the pulse of the community. Our commitment to the care and improvement of human life shines brightly through this partnership in outfitting Tampa Police patrol cars with AEDs, ensuring that life-saving support is readily available to enhance the well-being of everyone in Tampa.”
~ Jyric Sims, President, HCA Healthcare West Florida Division
“Our physicians see the difference an AED can make every day in the lives saved because help arrived in time. By placing a defibrillator in every patrol car, Tampa Police officers have the opportunity to turn that critical moment into a second chance. This initiative will strengthen the health and safety of our entire community and AdventHealth is honored to help make that happen.”
~ Jennifer Wandersleben, Regional CEO, AdventHealth West Florida Division
“This partnership reflects ZOLL’s deep commitment to equipping those on the front lines with the tools they need to potentially save lives. Tampa Police officers are often the first to arrive at the scene of a cardiac emergency, and having 500 ZOLL Powerheart® G5 AEDs-featuring real-time CPR feedback and intuitive rescue guidance-ensures they’re prepared to deliver high-quality, immediate care when every second counts. We’re proud to support this collaborative investment in community health and first responder readiness.”
~ Lori Peters, Associate Director of Advocacy & Partnerships, ZOLL