Schools will get 3 heart starters
The department is seeking more donations to buy additional defibrillators.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND --The fire department is making sure the hearts of the city's residents are well protected.
The department formed a three-person committee in June to explore the need and cost of a community automated external defibrillator (AED) program.
The three paramedics, Todd Price, Bill Brewer and Betsy Novakovich, soon found that there was a need for the equipment but knew that it would be difficult because each AED costs $2,400.
So with the help of the Cortland Lion's Club, Lakeview Bulldog Booster Club and the Cortland Firefighters Association, three AEDs have been purchased.
Locations
The Lakeview High School, middle school and Lakeview Athletic Complex will each receive one unit.
"These units will serve to protect our children, athletes, teachers, coaches and residents who visit or work at these locations," Price said. "This is a huge first step toward the success of our program."
Many sudden deaths occur when the heart switches from a normal to erratic beating pattern, Price said. The AED is a briefcase-size computer that can help shock the heart back to a normal beat.
Each computer comes with instructions that make it possible for people, without prior training, to use the equipment.
Donations
Price noted that each year about 250,000 Americans die from cardiac arrest, and even though paramedics can shock a victims' heart back to a normal beat with a defibrillator, sometimes emergency crews can't get to the scene fast enough.
"Every minute spent waiting for a paramedic lowers the chance of survival by 10 percent," Price said.
The firefighters noted that more donations are needed for additional AEDs for other buildings in the community. Price noted that the committee wants to place AEDs at Bazetta and Cortland Elementary schools.
"We need other groups and individuals in our community to donate to this life-saving project," Brewer said.
He noted that monetary donations have been received from the Cortland Kiwanis Club, local chiropractor Harvey Fenstra and Bell Family Chiropractic of Cortland.
Anyone interested in donating is asked to contact the Cortland Fire Department.
sinkovich@vindy.com