JEFFERSON — Jefferson Township has installed Automated External Defibrillators at five parks and recreational facilities, giving residents and visitors quicker access to lifesaving equipment during a cardiac emergency.
The Township Council approved funding for the devices in the budget, and the township ordered five units, which were recently installed at Lakeside Park, Ralph Ackerson Park, Chamberlain Field, White Rock Park and the Senior Center. Camp Jefferson already had an AED in place, bringing to six the number of township sites equipped with the devices.
An AED is a portable medical device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. It analyzes a person’s heart rhythm and, when appropriate, delivers an electrical shock to help restore a normal rhythm. The devices provide voice and visual instructions so bystanders can use them while waiting for first responders.
“When someone suffers sudden cardiac arrest, every minute matters, as we found out last year when a beloved coach suffered a cardiac incident,” said Mayor Eric Wilsusen. Wilsusen said police, fire and EMS personnel respond quickly to emergencies, but added that an AED on-site provides an added layer of protection in the first few minutes before responders arrive.
The units are housed in weatherproof cabinets in clearly marked, publicly accessible locations at each site and will be monitored to keep them in working order.
Wilsusen said the township’s parks and athletic facilities see heavy daily use from youth sports, adult exercise, families and community events, calling the AED placements a practical investment in public safety.
Officials advise anyone who suspects a cardiac arrest to call 9-1-1 immediately, begin CPR if appropriate, and retrieve the nearest AED as quickly as possible. Township police patrol vehicles also carry AEDs.
