Project Heart Beat

Maureen O’Connor has been in the field of emergency services for over twenty-five years. Most recently she acts as the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program Manager for San Diego Project Heart Beat (SDPHB). SDPHB is one of our nation’s first defibrillation programs to offer such a unique opportunity for public and private venture. SDPHB was recognized by the National Center for Early Defibrillation (NCED) as best Large Community Program of the year in October of 2003. SDPHB received the 2009 Heart Safe Community Award PAD Program, Large Community from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s 2009 SCAA Public Service Award. Maureen takes great pride in her involvement with the development of this internationally recognized program since its inception in 2001.

Project Heart Beat program, intended to increase access to automated external defibrillators across the city, teach people how to use AEDs, ways to recognize cardiac distress and how to potentially save someone’s life.

AEDs are portable devices that, when used in tandem with CPR, can help keep a person alive until further medical assistance arrives.

As of 2021, Project Heart Beat has helped place more than 9,500 AEDs throughout the region. The program has been responsible for saving nearly 200 lives since its inception, according to a city statement.