Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) / Cardiac Safe Community Program

Durham Region is a Cardiac Safe Community.

The Central East Prehospital Care Program (CEPCP) manages Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) in more than 150 sites across all Durham Region municipalities through our Cardiac Safe Community Program.

We are supported by Lakeridge Health, Durham Region EMS, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Fire Services in 8 municipalities (Ajax, Clarington, Brock, Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Scugog and Uxbridge).

Our Program:When a cardiac emergency strikes, Trained Responders at each site can spring into action with training from the Cardiac Safe Community Program. Not only does the program teach the use of a Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator (SAED), it enhances the responder's ability to deal with medical emergencies in any environment. Those enrolled in the program will learn lifesaving techniques from expert paramedics and firefighters, who face life-threatening emergencies on a daily basis. Our instructors are qualified to deliver Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and SAED according to the guidelines set by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario and the CEPCP.

We offer a 5-hour PAD/AED course that includes adult CPR and the safe use of an AED. This program provides medical oversight, guidelines, education, continuous support, event review and critical incident stress management to ensure best practice.

Our program ensures that every certified SAED provider can perform defibrillation safely and effectively.

If you would like more information about the Cardiac Safe Community Program please contact us at 1-866-423-8820 or send us an email

While each Cardiac Safe Community site has trained Target Responders to attend to any emergency that should arise in their facility, Public Access Defibrillators are just that--public. Any member of the public is capable of using one of these units. PADs are automated and, after simply turning on the unit, feature instructional prompts for carrying out a rescue.

Local industries and corporations have also joined our Cardiac Safe Community with on-site Automated External Defibrillator (AED) response and/or PAD programs. These partners include:

Ontario Power Generation - Emergency Medical and AED response within both generation facilities and PADs across five OPG sites.
Oshawa Centre - Security staff trained in AED response.