Building on One of the Region’s Most Established Public-Access AED Programs
Located on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore, Talbot County is home to more than 37,500 residents and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to its towns, parks, trails, athletic facilities, marinas and 600 miles of shoreline.
Thanks to the Talbot Paramedic Foundation, the county has long been a recognized leader in sudden cardiac arrest preparedness, with nearly 300 AEDs already deployed across indoor and outdoor locations – including government buildings, businesses, non-profit facilities and police cars.
The Challenge: Extending AED Access Beyond Buildings
Even a well‑established AED program can have gaps. Talbot County Foundation, Department of Emergency Services (DES), and government and community leaders saw an opportunity to expand the county’s AED program to also include outdoor locations. The challenge was how to place lifesaving AED outside to protect the growing number of residents and guests that use and visit the county’s outdoor gathering spaces.
During a sudden cardiac arrest, rapid access to an AED is critical for survival. An AED located inside a building may not be readily available during evenings, weekends or activities taking place far from the facility itself. For Talbot County, the question was no longer simply, “Do we have AEDs?”
It was: “Are AEDs accessible where and when people may need them, including outside?”
The Approach: Build on an Existing Culture of Cardiac Preparedness
The county’s outdoor expansion grew from the collaborative efforts of the Talbot Paramedic Foundation, Talbot County Department of Emergency Services (DES) and fellow non-profit Team Trace. While each organization has championed cardiac emergency readiness for decades, the re‑branded Talbot CARES Program (Cardiac Arrest Rescue Emergency Stations) was officially established under its new name on July 7, 2023.
Building on their established AED program experience, Talbot CARES launched their expanded AED program to focus on addressing several outdoor locations around the county that historically did not have 24×7 accessible AEDs.
In April 2024, Talbot CARES selected SaveHeart by HeartNation as their outdoor AED cabinet product and service partner. “We selected SaveHeart by HeartNation as our vendor for Talbot CARES because of their experience and leadership in deploying public access AED programs with several communities around the country. SaveHeart outdoor enclosures are manufactured in the United States and offer a wide range of innovative and technologically advanced solutions that house AEDs and other critical emergency supplies,” stated Wayne Dyott, president of Talbot Paramedic Foundation.
A pioneer in providing technology‑enabled outdoor AED cabinets and remote monitoring solutions that protect people, communities, and schools from sudden cardiac arrest emergencies, SaveHeart was named in 2025 as the Top AED Monitoring Technology by MedTech Outlook.
The Deployment: Expanding Coverage Across Talbot County
Talbot CARES has expanded outdoor AED cabinets throughout all five of Talbot County’s major towns, including Easton, Oxford, Queen Anne, St. Michaels and Trappe, as well as other areas of the county.
To date, the program has deployed 70 highly visible, all-weather, temperature regulated and smart monitored cabinets to provide immediate access and 24×7 visibility to lifesaving AEDs, Stop the Bleed kits, Narcan and other emergency supplies.
Talbot CARES saw SaveHeart as a natural partner to complement their existing indoor AED program due to their extensive AED program experience, highest quality US-made structures, and advanced monitoring technology.
The Community Impact: Making AED Readiness More Accessible
Talbot County’s program demonstrates how a community can evolve from AED ownership to comprehensive AED accessibility. With nearly 300 AEDs deployed and continued expansion into additional public outdoor locations, Talbot County is strengthening the ability of residents, visitors and bystanders to access lifesaving equipment in the critical minutes before professional responders arrive.
The Talbot CARES initiative also provides a model for other municipalities and park systems: Start with the AED program you already have, identify locations where access is limited, and collaborate with government, non-profit, and industry leaders to strategically expand coverage into all public access places where your community gathers. And . . . celebrate milestones along the way. In that regard, SaveHeart by HeartNation is excited to be in Talbot County in a few weeks to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Talbot Paramedic Foundation.
Could Your Community Benefit from Greater Outdoor AED Access?
Many organizations already have AEDs inside public facilities but haven’t yet considered expanding their existing program to focus on outdoor locations.
Technology now exists to place lifesaving AEDs outdoors in all‑weather, temperature regulated, and smart monitored cabinets to protect people around the clock.
SaveHeart by HeartNation can help you start by evaluating your current programs and procedures, identifying outdoor‑access gaps, sharing best practices, and developing a practical approach for expanding coverage to meet your goals and budget.
Schedule a 15-minute AED Readiness Assessment with 30-year AED industry veteran and SaveHeart Founder Dave Fritzsche to discuss your AED project(s) and request budgetary pricing.