Maureen O'Connor
San Diego Fire-Rescue
Emergency Medical Technician/Public Access Defibrilation (PAD)
Program Coordinator/Manager for San Diego Project Heart Beat

Maureen O’Connor has been in the field of emergency services for more than a decade.  Most recently she acts as the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program Coordinator for San Diego Project Heart Beat (SDPHB).  SDPHB is one of our nation’s first defibrillation programs to offer such a unique opportunity for public and private venture. SDPHB was recognized by the National Center for Early Defibrillation (NCED) as best Large Community Program of the year in October of 2003.

Maureen has served the communities of San Diego County as an Emergency First Responder for over twelve years in many different facets.  Maureen has worked on some of San Diego Cities busiest paramedic units for San Diego Fire-Rescue, served as a Firefighter for the City of Poway and worked as a Ranger/Diver for the City of San Diego.

Maureen’s passion for these programs is apparent in the success of San Diego Project Heart Beat.  Maureen and her team members have helped bring the dream and foresight of Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) and Early Access Defibrillation programs into fruition within the communities of San Diego County saving 40 lives to date and deploying over 3,300 Automatic External Defibrillator’s (AED’s). Maureen won the San Diego Business Journal’s Annual Women Who Mean Business Award in October of 2004, for her success and accomplishments with the regional PAD program. She was also recognized by her department as EMS Administrative Support Person of the Year during National EMS Week in May 2005 and recipient of VFW Post 3788’s 2005 Paramedic/EMT of the year.