How to launch a community early defibrillation program.

More than 60 emergency services professionals attended an EMS Today 2001 preconference symposium, "How to Champion Public Access Defibrillation in Your Community: Leadership, Art and Science," hosted by AED manufacturer Philips/Heartstream. Their goal: to learn the practicalities of starting and maintaining an early defibrillation program in their communities. The recent increase in research and attention to community early defibrillation programs led Philips/Heartstream to host the symposium, which featured cardiac arrest survivor Diane Jackson, as well as three community early defibrillation program advocates who've implemented early defibrillation programs in their communities. Their advice for kick-starting early defibrillation programs in your community follows.