Fayetteville Fire Department Carrying Pediatric Defibrillator Pads

The Lafayette Village Fire Department is the first in the Carolinas to carry pediatric defibrillator pads. They come with an adapter in the shape of a teddy bear that reduces the shock.

Fire departments and EMS crews usually carry defibrillator pads for patients over the age of eight. There is now a greater chance of saving children in cardiac arrests.

"We hope that we never have to use it, but we're glad we have the comparability of using it if we need it," fire safety educator Zahra Khaleghi said.

The new pads will be useful for children who drown, choke or have asthma. Cumberland County averages four pediatric full cardiac arrests a month.