Defibrillators now available 24/7 at five Oro-Medonte parks

Thanks to various fundraising initiatives and donations across Oro-Medonte Township, local residents and visitors to the municipality will be able to rest a little easier knowing that if an emergency arises, there are new, publicly accessible SaveStations in five township parks. Inside each SaveStation is an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Members of township council and staff were joined by about three dozen fundraisers and supporters at Bayview Memorial Park this morning to cut the ribbon and unveil the AED installed there in honour of former deputy mayor Scott Jermey, who was a passionate supporter of having AEDs available in all local parks.

“Time is everything,” said Deb Hennig, president of Action First Aid. “When someone collapses and has a cardiac arrest, we have four minutes before brain damage sets in and 10 minutes before there’s irreversible brain damage.”

The likelihood of paramedics getting to a rural park like Bayview within the first few minutes isn’t great, Hennig noted, adding that’s why the publicly accessible units are important.

“The public is empowered to step in and do something before EMS arrives,” said Hennig. “It’s a really great complement.”

SaveStations can now be found in: Bayview Memorial Park (687 Lakeshore Rd. E.); Shelswell Park (118 Lakeshore Rd. W.); Shanty Bay Park (1950 Ridge Rd. W.); Danny McHugh Park (1885 Warminster Sideroad); and Sweetwater Park, (3353 Line 6 N.).