Defibrillator system using multiple external defibrillators and a communications network

A defibrillator system comprising an external defibrillator, a defibrillator communicator and a communication network. In a preferred embodiment, the defibrillator comprises electrodes, an energy source and a controller, with the controller comprising an ECG signal analyzer and local actuator on the defibrillator for delivering an electrical pulse from the energy source to the electrodes. The communication network comprises a communication station, preferably a computer with a modem, and signal carriers, such as telephone lines, so that information can be transmitted from the communicator to the communication station. The defibrillator communicator automatically transmits information to the communication station in response to deployment of the defibrillator. In alternative embodiments, additional information (such as patient ECG data and defibrillator operation data) is sent from the communication station to the communicator. A method of operating such a defibrillator system is included.