On April 2, 2007, the General first decided to buy defibrillators to 22 municipalities located more than 20 minutes of a Relief.

Mr. Oddo ended up using the money to buy defibrillators for Little League fields and centers for the elderly, he said.

He said that on Long Island, many schools have bought defibrillators and have trained staff members to use them.

Chris Byron said more families are now buying defibrillators and training to be able to use them at home.

He said Locust Valley first bought defibrillators two years ago and now has 10.

In the meantime, airlines are buying portable defibrillators.

That year, Congress allocated $25 million for rural emergency units to buy defibrillators and be trained in their use.

Under current Federal regulations and the law in most states, including New York, only doctors or people authorized by doctors may buy and operate defibrillators, even the simplest models.

For instance, Dr. Sabatella said, the Mahopac district has spent more than $150,000 so far to buy defibrillators and meet other regulations in a new school safety law.

There are other unfunded mandates that cost as much or more, Dr. Cala said, like buying defibrillators or fingerprinting staff members.