Tag: life safety

Getting a Workplace AED: Over-Prepared or a Must-Have?

In workplaces and public spaces across the country, the question of whether to invest in an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is becoming increasingly common. Is purchasing a workplace AED a sign of being over-prepared, or is it a crucial step every organization should consider? Let’s look at the practical realities, community sentiment, and the emerging best practices around AEDs.

The Stakes: Why AEDs Matter

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and the risk only rises as the population ages. When SCA strikes, every minute counts: for each minute defibrillation is delayed, survival chances drop by 7–10%. Emergency medical services (EMS) typically arrive in 8–12 minutes, but brain and heart damage can occur much sooner. An on-site AED can mean the difference between life and death—early use of an AED can increase survival rates tenfold, and when paired with CPR, can triple the odds of survival.

What the Community Says

Real-life stories and online discussions reflect the growing recognition of AEDs’ value:

  • “AEDs are absolutely a life-saving piece of equipment.”
  • “I bought one for a family member who has heart issues. It was an expense, but worth the peace of mind.”
  • “Every public space should have an AED.”

AEDs provide peace of mind and critical protection, especially in workplaces, public venues, and other places where people gather.

Are There Drawbacks?

Some business owners hesitate, citing the upfront cost and the ongoing maintenance required to keep the device operational. AEDs require periodic replacement of batteries and pads, and their effectiveness depends on regular checks. Additionally, while AEDs are designed to be used by anyone—no medical background required—they are only effective for certain cardiac emergencies, such as ventricular fibrillation. CPR remains essential alongside defibrillation.

Meeting Objections: Today’s AED Solutions

Modern AEDs have addressed many of these concerns. Leading models, such as the Stryker LIFEPAK CR2, deliver intuitive audio and visual guidance, bilingual support, and smart pediatric features to ensure anyone can act quickly and confidently. Features like auto-adjusting volume and real-time CPR coaching make these devices more accessible than ever.

But perhaps the most significant evolution is in AED monitoring and support. Many organizations worry about whether their AED will work when needed, but today’s monitored solutions offer real-time status updates, battery and pad expiration tracking, and even 24/7 location services. With annual inspections and automatic alerts for any issues, businesses can rest assured their AEDs are always rescue-ready.

The Case for Being Prepared

Some may wonder if having an AED is simply “over-prepared.” Yet, with high-profile cardiac emergencies making headlines and regulatory requirements slowly expanding, the real question is whether you can afford to be unprepared. The peace of mind, potential to save a life, and the growing expectation for public safety make AEDs a must-have for many organizations.

Our Commitment: Monitored AED Services—and Why We Chose Stryker

We offer fully monitored AED rental programs designed to remove the guesswork from life-saving preparedness. When it comes to selecting the right AED, our partnership with Stryker and the LIFEPAK CR2 model reflects our commitment to providing the very best in reliability, user-friendliness, and advanced features.

Why did we choose the Stryker LIFEPAK CR2?

The LIFEPAK CR2 is trusted worldwide to help save lives in high-stress situations. It’s engineered with the latest technology to support both experienced responders and everyday users, offering:

  • Easy-to-use design: Clear, step-by-step audio and visual instructions guide anyone—trained or not—through the rescue process.
  • Self-monitoring: The device automatically runs readiness checks and reports any issues, so you’re never caught off guard.
  • Cellular + Wi-Fi connectivity: Real-time status and event data are shared seamlessly, ensuring our monitoring team has up-to-the-minute information.
  • Metronome & CPR coaching: Sets the correct pace and guides rescuers with real-time instructions, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.
  • QUIK-STEP® electrodes: Peel directly from the base for faster, simpler placement in emergencies.
  • Child Mode: Delivers a lower energy level suitable for young children, with no need to change pads.
  • ClearVoiceTM technology:Adapts instructions to be heard clearly, even in noisy environments.
  • Location services: Always know where your AED is, so it’s accessible when every second counts.
  • Bilingual prompts: Supports multilingual workplaces and communities, defaulting to Spanish if needed.

By choosing the Stryker LIFEPAK CR2, we ensure that our clients have access to a device that’s as intuitive as it is powerful—backed by our comprehensive monitoring and support.

  • Real-time device monitoring: Immediate alerts for battery or pad expiration, or any device issue
  • 24/7 location tracking: Always know where your AED is
  • Annual inspections: Ongoing compliance and confidence
  • Comprehensive support: From selection to training and maintenance

With a monitored AED solution, you can focus on your business, knowing your people are protected and your device is always ready.

Protect what matters most—your team, your customers, and your peace of mind.

Want to learn more about how a monitored AED program can benefit your organization? Contact us today for details on our flexible rental and support options.

Celebrating 20 Years of Growth in Life Safety with APi Group

A Milestone Anniversary

September 30, 2025, marks 20 years since Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Co. joined APi Group Inc., a nationwide network of fire protection and specialty construction companies. At the time, Davis-Ulmer operated four branches in Western New York and had already earned a reputation for industry leadership, having expanded in 1996 to include top-tier fire suppression and alarm brands and its own Special Hazard Alarm and Detection division.

A Legacy of Expertise

That milestone is built on over a century of expertise. Founded in Buffalo in 1923 by Herman Ulmer and Joseph Davis, Davis-Ulmer Sprinkler Co. grew from a local sprinkler provider into a trusted leader in life safety. Under the leadership of the Ulmer family, the company steadily broadened its capabilities, diversifying into fire protection, suppression, and alarm solutions. (View a list of all current services.)

A Mission That Endures

Guided by its mission—to be the leading single-source fire protection company in the Northeast by providing quality products and services at fair and equitable rates—Davis-Ulmer has maintained a reputation for excellence and integrity for more than 100 years.

A Transformative Partnership

Building on its strong foundation and reputation for excellence, Davis-Ulmer’s partnership with APi marked the start of a transformative era.

Growth Through Collaboration

Joining APi opened new doors—connecting Davis-Ulmer to a powerful network of like-minded companies, resources, and expertise. Over the past two decades, this collaboration has transformed Davis-Ulmer into the DU Family of Companies with more than 18 valued local brands and 33 branch locations across the East Coast and Midwest, offering comprehensive fire protection, alarm, suppression, and security solutions to customers of all sizes. The DU Family of Companies shares decades of expertise, a commitment to safety, and a shared purpose: protecting what people value most.

Leadership-Driven Culture

A cornerstone of this growth is APi Group’s leadership-driven culture. Guided by its central premise—success happens only when our branches and field leaders are successful—APi invests deeply in leadership development at every level. This philosophy has created an entrepreneurial environment where innovation thrives, teams collaborate across brands, and customer service reaches new heights.

Voices of Leadership

Former Davis-Ulmer President Steve Ulmer, now Senior Vice President of Safety Service at APi Group Inc., reflects:

“One of the greatest impacts APi has had on Davis-Ulmer is in leadership. The knowledge and training around leading teams and leading yourself has been invaluable. APi’s commitment to building great leaders has paralleled our success as a company.”

As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, we’re proud of the journey that brought us here: from a four-branch sprinkler company in Western New York to a trusted life safety leader with a national presence. (View all our current locations.)

Ulmer adds:

“I couldn’t be more proud of how Davis-Ulmer has evolved, and it’s all thanks to our team members. We started with four branches in New York and have grown into a leading fire protection service provider across the East Coast and Midwest. And yet, the camaraderie and spirit still feel like a family-owned business. My father and grandfather could never have imagined what this would become—and we’re not done yet. The best is still to come.”

Looking Ahead

Here’s to the next chapter of protecting lives and property, together.