Eight automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), each costing about $1,500, have been donated to the Town of Bethlehem.
The town began campaigning to have the defibrillators donated in August of last year. At the time of their request, two AEDs were being rotated between the town hall, the town park pool, the park’s maintenance shed and its sports fields, and the remaining defibrillators were about to expire in January.
With these donations, the town now has a total of ten AEDs. One remains at the town hall year-round, and one is housed in both the park’s maintenance and sports sheds. The Police Department has four defibrillators that rotate between police vehicles so that there is a device in every in-service vehicle at all times. Two additional town AEDs were replaced with money from the town’s budget.
“It’s great to see so many of the town’s AEDs come from donations. Eight out of ten is a lot,” said Deputy Controller Richard Webster.
The Town Hall’s new AED was donated by Bryant Asset Protection insurance and investment agency. The four police department devices were donated through a grant from CSX Corporation that was facilitated by the Bethlehem Police Benevolent Association and Supervisor’s Union. The three AED donations to the town park were made through the Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation group, with two donations made anonymously and the third donated by the Albany law firm Brown and Weinraub.
“Obviously with newer technology it’s always better to get new stuff,” said Steven Kraz, president of the Bethlehem Police Supervisor’s Association. And when the technology behind these devices makes it possible to save lives thousands of lives around the world every year, keeping these devices working is crucial.
Defibrillators are currently the only effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Red Cross, for every minute that use of a defibrillator is delayed, the chances for survival are reduced by 10 percent. The devices are required by New York State law to be in places of public gathering, and are required to be replaced regularly. The lifespan for a properly functioning AED is about ten years.
All of the new AEDs that were donated are currently being used and in service around town.
