Public Access Defibrillation Program

Program Overview

Columbia University, in its commitment to maintaining the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors, has established a public access defibrillation program to provide life-saving assistance in instances of cardiac health emergencies that require the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). 

This program is designed following the guidelines of the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York City and involves the installation of AEDs in locations across the University, along with trainings to increase the number of campus personnel certified to respond to instances of cardiac arrest and use an AED when appropriate.

AEDs and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart stops beating.  According to American Heart Association statistics, more than 350,000 emergency medical services-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year.  Slightly more than 10 percent of people survive sudden cardiac arrest, with the chance of survival increasing dramatically if the victim receives immediate CPR.  AEDs are a vital link in the chain of survival and are the only proven way to resuscitate a person who has had a cardiac arrest.

Up to five volunteer responders from each AED-equipped building will undergo CPR/first aid safety trainings to be certified in CPR response and the appropriate procedures to use an AED.  Public Safety also provides CPR response and AED instruction as part of its emergency response training to all Public Safety officers. 

Employees currently possessing CPR/First-Aid or emergency medical technician certification may also volunteer to be Columbia CPR first responders by contacting the public access defibrillation program coordinator via email at [email protected].

AEDs can be found in the lobby of buildings across the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Irving Medical Center campuses.  The locations were selected by a committee of health and safety experts across campus to cover as large of a geographical footprint as possible and provide optimal response to cardiac health emergencies. 

In addition, four Public Safety patrol vehicles (two vehicles patrolling Morningside, and one each in vehicles patrolling Manhattanville and Irving Medical Center) and the Columbia University Emergency Medical Service (CUEMS) ambulance have AEDs to provide added reach and mobility.

Morningside Campus (See Map)

  • Butler Library – Lobby
  • CEPSR / Schapiro Center – Campus Entrance Lobby at 400 Level
  • Columbia Alumni Center – Lobby
  • Dodge Fitness Center *
  • Dodge Hall – Miller Theater Lower Level
  • Faculty House – Lobby
  • Hartley Hall – Lobby / Hospitality Desk
  • International Affairs Building – 200 Level
  • Jerome Greene Hall – Lobby
  • John Jay Hall – Lobby / Public Safety Desk
  • Kraft Center – Lobby
  • Lerner Hall – Campus Entrance Lobby
  • Lewisohn Hall – Lobby
  • Low Library – Public Safety Operations Center, Room 111
  • Mudd Building – 400 Level Lobby
  • Northwest Corner Building – Broadway Entrance Lobby / Public Safety Desk
  • School of Social Work – 100 Level
  • Uris Hall – 100 Level
  • William and June Warren Hall – 100 Level

*AED location may not be readily available to the public

Manhattanville Campus (See Map)

  • David Geffen Hall – 100 Level Elevator Lobby
  • Henry R. Kravis Hall – 100 Level Elevator Lobby
  • Jerome L. Greene Science Center – 100 Level by Public Safety Desk
  • Lenfest Center for the Arts – 100 Level by Elevators
  • Nash Building – 100 Level by Turnstiles
  • Public Safety Operations Center – 100 Level in Public Safety Office Suite
  • Studebaker Building – Main Lobby on 100 Level by Elevators
  • The Forum – 100 Level by Public Safety Desk

Irving Medical Center Campus (Click Link for List of Locations and Map)

  • General Program Information
    • For more information on the AED program or training courses offered at the University, please contact [email protected].
  • AED Issues
    • If you notice an issue with an AED, or if one has been used, please contact [email protected].