Audit Report on the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ Compliance with Local Law 20 and the Placement of Automated External Defibrillators

This audit was conducted to determine whether the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) is in compliance with the requirements of Local Law 20 for training and certifying City personnel in the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), placing AEDs in public places, and ensuring that DCAS’ Site-Specific Response and Maintenance Plan includes all the required elements.  The audit found that DCAS generally complies with Local Law 20 and with New York State Public Health Law §3000-b.  DCAS properly maintains its inspection reports and device registrations and complies with the provisions of its collaborative emergency health care provider agreement with the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City, Inc. (the Collaborative Agreement).  However, we found insufficient contact information for some of DCAS’ trained responders, and an insufficiently prominent display of a sign regarding the location of an AED at the main entrance to one of the locations we visited.  The audit recommended that DCAS ensure the contact information for its trained responders is complete and accessible, and that required AED signage be prominently posted at the main entrance as required by the New York State Public Health Law and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) rules.