Police putting AEDs in 14 churches

October 30, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Boardman

Soon parishioners or members at more than a dozen township churches can feel more at ease.

Police Chief Jack Nichols said the department purchased 14 automatic external defibrillators that he said will be installed in 14 churches throughout the township.

Nichols said the AEDs will be beneficial in an emergency inside or in the vicinity of the churches and could provide aid before an ambulance arrives.

“This is a better, smarter way to use this equipment,” he said.

The first one was installed Thursday at Boardman Foursquare Gospel Church, 1594 W. Western Reserve Road, Nichols said.

“There’s no added cost except the 15 or 20 minutes it takes the [road department] worker to put it in,” he said. “It’s a joint effort with the township and churches, with the police, fire and road departments pitching in.”

The Rev. Larry Johnson, pastor, said he’s thrilled to be one of the first churches with the device.

“That crucial three or four minutes waiting for a responder makes all the difference in the world,” he said. “If it saves one life, then it’s worth it.”

Nichols said the AEDs cost about $1,500 each and were purchased using money seized by the department during criminal investigations, many of which were drug raids.

He said he hopes all 14 of the machines will be installed by December, which is when many churches begin to draw in larger crowds.

Pastor Johnson said he’ll have training sessions for his parishioners.

Not everyone in every church will have AED training, but Nichols said the equipment is self- explanatory.

“Even if you’re not trained, the device itself walks you through each step and tells you how to do it,” he said.

Nichols said his ultimate goal is to be able to purchase enough devices for all of the township’s 46 churches and some businesses.

“I’d really like to see us get one for every church and then eventually any businesses that are open 24 hours a day,” he said.