Montgomery County approves opioid‑settlement funds to add AEDs to sheriff patrol vehicles

The Montgomery County Commission voted Oct. 7 to authorize the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to use opioid‑settlement funds to upgrade and buy Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for marked patrol vehicles. The motion was moved by Vice Chairman Moore‑Zeigler, seconded by Commissioner Castanza and carried unanimously.

Sheriff’s Office materials in the meeting packet requested approximately $130,735 to complete the project and described how deputies are often first on scene for opioid‑related and cardiac emergencies. The memo from Assistant Chief Wesley Richerson noted deputies already carry naloxone and are trained in CPR, and that AEDs are needed to restart hearts in some emergencies.

County legal counsel and the State Examiners of Public Accounts were cited in a follow‑up memorandum advising that opioid‑settlement funds may be used for Narcan and AEDs if designated for opioid‑related incidents. Chief Legal Counsel Randall Hillman’s email summarized the Attorney General and Examiners’ guidance and recommended that agencies place devices where most opioid incidents occur, maintain a usage log, and reimburse the State for any disposable pads or damage resulting from non‑opioid uses. Jason Paulk, chief legal counsel for the Examiners of Public Accounts, provided a written confirmation that such a purchase is allowable under the settlement parameters.

The commission’s approval authorizes procurement to proceed under those parameters and directs county staff and the Sheriff’s Office to keep records of device use and any reimbursable expenses. The decision does not appropriate general fund dollars; it designates opioid‑settlement funds for the purchase. Procurement and reporting steps were described in the meeting packet as next actions.