Maureen O’Connor has been in the field of emergency services for over twenty-five years. Most recently she acts as the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program Manager 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. SDPHB received the 2009 Heart Safe Community Award PAD Program, Large Community from the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association’s 2009 SCAA Public Service Award. Maureen takes great pride in her involvement with the development of this internationally recognized program since its inception in 2001.

Maureen has served the communities of San Diego County as an Emergency First Responder in many different facets. Maureen has worked on some of San Diego Cities busiest paramedic units as an EMT 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 won the San Diego Business Journal’s Annual Women Who Mean Business Award in October of 2004, for the 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, recipient of VFW Post 3788’s 2005 Paramedic/EMT of the year award and 2008 – 2009 Outstanding Achievement Appreciation Award from the San Diego County American Heart Association Chapter. Most recently in March of 2020, she was recognized by City of San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, as the recipient of the second annual Stacey LoMedico Heart of Service Award. Maureen serves on the Board of Directors for the Citizen’s CPR Foundation (CCPRF) and serves as Chair for the new “40 Under 40” program, “Mass Training Around the World” and Co-Chair’s, by offering leadership guidance to the Local Planning Committees for the bi-annual Survivor Summit (an international conference organized by the CCPRF).