Our Mission

Place an AED in every police cruiser on the road to ensure faster cardiac arrest response and save lives.

Project Heart ReStart

Project Heart ReStart is working to equip all police officers in Hamilton County and Northern Kentucky with automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Police officers are often the first on the scene before EMS, and having an AED in their vehicle can make the difference between life and death during a cardiac emergency.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Rotary Club of Cincinnati, The Christ Hospital, and the Matthew Mangine Jr. “One Shot” Foundation have teamed up to ensure law enforcement is prepared to respond to cardiac events. For every minute an AED is delayed, the chance of survival decreases by 7-10%. But with immediate access to an AED, survival rates can increase from 10% to 40%.

Thank you for helping us save lives.

Roadmap to Launch

1. Assess Community Need

  • Engage with Local Law Enforcement (city, county, and sheriff’s departments)
    • Ask: How many cruisers are active daily? How many still need AEDs?
  • Establish your coverage goal and define the fundraising target.

2. Build Your Partnerships

  • Hospital or Health System Foundation
    • Share data and invite them to co-lead a regional cardiac arrest initiative.
  • Public Safety Leadership & EMS Chiefs
    • They help validate need and build trust with agencies.
  • Local Industry & Business Leaders
    • Manufacturing, dealerships, logistics, and regional employers can sponsor units.
  • Rotary Network & Civic Groups
    • Leverage your community reach to support engagement and visibility.

3. Fundraising Strategy

  • Healthcare Foundation Contributions
    • Position this as extending their mission “beyond hospital walls.”
  • Corporate Sponsorships
    • Offer branding opportunities on AED cases, press features, and recognition events.
  • Community Giving Campaign
    • “$2,000 places one AED—how many can you help cover?”
    • Use digital platforms and Rotary events to reach your goal.

4. Deploy & Share the Impact

  • Coordinate delivery event of AEDs for police cruisers
  • Track placements and ensure units are registered and maintained
  • Work with media, hospital PR teams, and Rotary newsletters to:
    • Announce milestones (e.g., “50 units deployed”)
    • Share survivor stories and agency testimonials
    • Celebrate community donors and business partners

In the News

Hamilton County

Project Heart Restart reaches goal to equip every Hamilton County patrol car with AED

Read more [Local 12]

Northern Kentucky

Police across northern Kentucky get AEDs as part of Project Heart Restart

Read more [WLWT]

Proven Example

Cincinnati Rotary Club

400+

AEDs distributed

$850K+

Raised with partners like Christ Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mercy Hospital, TriHealth Hospital System, Cintas, ZOLL and Multiple Private Donations

Expansion

Into Northern Kentucky through multi-club collaboration