Training first responders

When someone is shocked, quick and effective response is critical. The longer a person has contact with an energized object the higher the probability of death. In Jodie’s case, the New York City Police Department was the first to respond; however, they did not attempt to remove her from the electrified service box. She remained on the service box for more than 10 minutes. EMS workers eventually extracted her, but it was too late.

In 2005, the Jodie S. Lane Public Safety Foundation sponsored a number of meetings with the City of New York, the NYPD, the FDNY and John Jay College of Criminal Justice to explore whether a training program could be created to help first responders extract shock victims. All parties agreed that such a training program was feasible and desirable. The Jodie S. Lane Public Safety Foundation agreed to fund the development of this program and donate the training program to New York City, under the condition that the training program would be implemented for first responders. Though the City felt the training was feasible and initially expressed interest, they would not assure its implementation. A letter was sent to Mayor Bloomberg requesting his help to get a first responder training program implemented. The Mayor was not responsive. To date, no training program has been created and implemented for NYPD and FDNY.