Source: Superior Telegram
New AED Kiosks Provide Life-Saving Access in Superior Parks
SUPERIOR — Two outdoor spaces will soon have quick access to automated external defibrillators, commonly known as AEDs, thanks to a grant received by the Superior Fire Department.
SaveStation kiosks were recently installed by the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department at Barker’s Island and Loon’s Foot Landing. Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht said he hopes to have the AEDs in place and ready for use by the end of the week.
At Barker’s Island, the box can be found on the restroom building near the public boat launch parking lot. The fish-cleaning station at Loon’s Foot Landing houses the other.
Each of the SaveStation boxes cost $3,500, which was paid for by a grant from Cenovus, according to Vollbrecht. The grant paid for one of the AED devices. The other came from the Superior Police Department.
Each of the boxes was attached to an existing structure and will be connected to electricity to allow the device to be heated and cooled. One kiosk still needs to be wired by a certified electrician. The AED purchased with grant money had not yet been delivered as of Thursday morning.
Vollbrecht shared information on the kiosks with the Public Safety Committee on Sept. 18. The initiative is aimed at saving lives.
“If the public needs an AED in those areas, they’ll be able to access them,” Vollbrecht told the committee.
Sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the United States, according to the American Red Cross website. The organization estimated that more than 350,000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest in 2025.
While the fire department can respond within three to four minutes, Vollbrecht said, speed is critical with a heart attack. According to the Red Cross, for each minute defibrillation is delayed, the odds of survival are reduced by approximately 10%.
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