The Comox Firefighters Association has donated another automated external defibrillator (AED) to support public safety in the Comox Valley. The latest recipient is the Courtenay Legion. Pictured in the photo below is Courtenay Legion member Rollie Rowland, accepting the AED on behalf of the organization.
鈥淚t鈥檚 encouraging to see more public access AEDs becoming available throughout the community,鈥� said Comox Fire Chief Gord Schreiner. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely proud of our firefighters and their continued commitment to this life-saving initiative. To date, we鈥檝e helped place over 60 AEDs in public spaces. Over the past decade, this represents more than $85,000 in funding, entirely from non-tax sources.鈥�
Public-access AEDs are simple to use, require minimal maintenance, and, most importantly, save lives. Each unit costs approximately $2,000. In addition to donating AEDs, the Comox Firefighters Association also offers CPR and AED training to members of the community.
The association receives numerous requests annually and carefully evaluates each one to determine where they can have the most impact. Their goal is to add three to four new AEDs across the region each year.
A cardiac arrest can happen without warning鈥攁t work, at community events, or in public places. Survival rates are typically under 10 per cent, but studies show that when CPR and AEDs are administered within five minutes, survival rates can jump to 30鈥�50 per cent. This is why communities nationwide are implementing public-access defibrillation programs that combine widespread AED placement with public training.
Comox Fire Rescue understands the importance of AEDs firsthand. Every emergency vehicle in the department is equipped with an AED, and a unit is also installed at the fire station.
