News Photo by Julie Riddle Sgt. Dan Werner, of the Michigan State Police-Alpena Post, displays an automated external defibrillator outside the post last week.

ALPENA — Like other posts in the state, the Michigan State Police-Alpena post received a shipment of automated external defibrillators last week to place in patrol cars.

The post already had AEDs in some vehicles, but now its fleet is fully outfitted, said post Sgt. Dan Werner.

The state used funding from position vacancies to purchase 340 AEDs, totalling about $485,000, for distribution to posts around the state.

Troopers are trained in AED use as part of the department’s first aid curriculum.

Police need quick access to lifesaving devices like defibrillators because they are often first to the scene for a crash or other emergency, Werner said.

“Everybody thinks, ‘Oh, they’re just out there to stop cars and give tickets,'” Werner said. “We’re out there so we can be readily available for people in need.”