HERMISTON, Ore.-Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been installed at three popular recreation sites thanks to the City of Hermiston and the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation (GSCHF).
A $7,500 GSCHF grant funded the AED’s that were installed at the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex, Funland Playground, and HEROS Sportsplex on October 28, according to the City of Hermiston.
Hermiston Parks and Recreation applied for the grant to make lifesaving equipment more accessible in highly used recreation areas.
“Having these AEDs readily available in some of Hermiston’s busiest parks brings a sense of security for our community,” said Brandon Artz, Hermiston Parks & Recreation Director. “We’re grateful to the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation for recognizing this need and helping us provide the resource for residents and visitors.”
The AED at the HEROS Sportsplex will be unlocked and available during scheduled activities, however, the AEDs at the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex and Funland Playground are housed in outdoor cabinets with locking codes.
Individuals can call 911 to receive the access code during an emergency to unlock the cabinet and use the AEDs until emergency responders arrive.
“In an emergency, every second counts,” said Umatilla County Fire District #1 Community Paramedic Jessica Marcum. “Early CPR and defibrillation make the biggest impact on whether someone survives a cardiac event. People who get those interventions within three minutes, often before emergency responders arrive, have the highest chance of survival.”
According to the City of Hermiston, the AEDs are part of ongoing community safety and preparedness efforts, and locations for the lifesaving devices were determined based on recreational traffic and accessibility.
For those interested in learning more about lifesaving techniques, Good Shepherd Health Care System provides AED, CPR and first aid classes.
“We are so glad our residents and visitors will be equipped with this life-saving equipment,” said Marcum.
