POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Port Authority expands defibrillator program

September 1, 2000

NEW YORK — At a recent ceremony, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the expansion of their award-winning defibrillator program. Since its inception in 1997, Port Authority police officers have used defibrillators to save 12 lives.


Ad Loading...

Dimitry Gorbenko, of Livingston, N. J., spoke at the ceremony in praise of the program. Gorbenko was one of the first to be revived by one of the Port Authority's portable heart defibrillators when he suffered cardiac arrest in 1997 at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. "It's one of the most necessary things to have at an airport, at a bus terminal, at a police station. All buldings should have defibrillators," said Gorbenko.

With the expansion of the program, nearly 200 Port Authority tunnel and bridge agents will begin to receive defibrillator training, to join the 400 Port Authority police officers already trained. The program will also add 30 more portable defibrillators to passenger terminals at the JFK International Airport, and plans to also add defibrillators in terminals at the Newark International Airport.

"Providing this kind of benefit is the ultimate form of customer service. There is nothing more important than saving the lives of people who are in need of emergency assistance," Greg Trevor, spokesperson for the Port Authority told Police.

The use of portable heart defibrillators has been recognized nationwide as a life-saving endeavor. President Clinton recently announced plans to expand the use of defibrillators in federal buildings and airplanes. In his radio address on May 20, Clinton said, "If this entire nation comes together to place AEDs (defibrillators) in airplanes, federal buildings and other key locations, we can save more than 20,000 lives every single year."

— Amy Schmidt, Editorial Assistant, Police

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

center circle image of PTSD Help Expanded surrounded by military and first responder images
PatrolNovember 11, 2025

Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans

Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.

Read More →
police officer holding a folded flag and headline for Officer Killed
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

WakeMed Campus Police Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting

A WakeMed Campus Police Officer died after being shot in the lobby of the emergency department at a North Carolina hospital over the weekend.

Read More →
Black background with blue graphic outline of state of Florida and headline Video Released: barricaded Suspect Falls Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody.
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

Video Shows Barricaded Suspect Fall Through Ceiling and Into SWAT Custody

Deputies in Indian River County, Florida, apprehended a suspect after he fell through the ceiling with SWAT members waiting below. The sheriff’s department released video of the apprehension.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring T2 Systems.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

From the Show Floor: T2 Systems

Learn about T2 Systems and its electronic parking enforcement solutions. Retired Chief John Holland outlines the benefits of using such a system to manage parking enforcement.

Read More →
view of a mobile observation trailer deployed in a parking lot against a blue sky
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 10, 2025

Texas Pollice Department Adds Reconview Tower

A Texas police chief shares how the Decatur Police Department will use its new Reconview observation tower.

Read More →
Thumbnail for POLICE video From theShow Floor: Traka
Patrolby Wayne ParhamOctober 30, 2025

From the Show Floor: Traka

Join POLICE as we visit with Steve Atkinson of Traka and learn about the company’s asset management cabinets and key lockers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
image of conference stage top left, inset image of two men standing at right, and lower left logo for Team Wendy
PatrolOctober 29, 2025

Team Wendy Shares New DREW Data During Personal Armour Systems Symposium

Team Wendy shared data about DREW, a biofidelic helmet-test rig built to simulate real head-to-ground falls and capture both linear and rotational head motion, during the recent Personal Armour Systems Symposium in Belgium.

Read More →
Images for three athletes - discus, weightlifting, baseball, and inset image of San Diego highway sign and logo for 2026 US Police and Fire Championships.
PatrolOctober 28, 2025

2026 US Police and Fire Championships to Unite First Responders in San Diego for 59th Annual Event

The 2026 US Police and Fire Championships, featuring more than 35 Olympic-style events and new competitions, will return to San Diego, California.

Read More →
Collage of police officers and a firefighter with FOX & Frends logo.
PatrolOctober 27, 2025

FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends to Host Live Audience for National First Responders Day

In honor of National First Responders Day, FOX News Channel’s FOX & Friends will host a live audience made up of first responders and their families. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel have been invited to attend the live program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →