From the New York Daily News: New York City paramedics have begun a pioneering program that uses hypothermia therapy for some cardiac-arrest victims in ambulances. Dr. David Prezant, the FDNY's chief medical officer, said the city is the first in the country to initiate hypothermia therapy in ambulances.

Lowering body temperature has been found to slow down the brain's need for oxygen, providing precious additional time to rush victims to emergency rooms where the cause of the cardiac arrest can be found and treated.

Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said 78 Fire Department advance life support ambulances have been equipped with the required refrigeration equipment, along with 50 voluntary ambulances operated by private hospitals or volunteers but also dispatched by the 911 system. Another 24 voluntary ambulances will join at the end of September.