COUNTYWIDE : Accord May Be Near on Defibrillators

Ventura County firefighters may soon equip trucks with lifesaving defibrillators that regulate heart beats.

Fire officials will meet with county officials Friday to attempt to work out their differences on the use of the defibrillators. The disagreement reached a stalemate last year.

“I think our concerns can be met,” said Ken Maffei, president of the Ventura County Professional Fire Fighters Assn.

Last year the Board of Supervisors agreed to purchase 42 of the machines and accompanying equipment for a total cost of more than $200,000. But they were not purchased because the firefighters union balked at using the machines when it was learned that each would be equipped with a tape recorder as a teaching aid.

Maffei said firefighters were concerned that the tape-recordings would be used against them if the question of liability arose in a lawsuit. He said the union, which has 400 members, will use the defibrillators if the county assumes liability and defends a firefighter sued over use of the machine.

Maffei, who took over as union president in January, said he contacted the supervisors two months ago to resume talks on the defibrillators. He said the meeting Friday wasn’t prompted by the Aug. 21 death of Fire Capt. Wayne L. Pulley, who collapsed with a heart attack while responding to a call.

However, he said, “it’s a vivid portrayal of why we need them.”