NEWS RELEASE
TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE
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The Township of Oro-Medonte, Horseshoe Valley Property Owners Association (HVPOA), and Odyssey Medical are proud to announce the donation and unveiling of an outdoor SaveStation Tower with a life-saving AED (automated external defibrillator) at Horseshoe Valley Memorial Park, located at 3387 Line 4 North in Oro-Medonte, in memory of former deputy mayor Scott Jermey.
The free-standing SaveStation Tower lights up at night, and is clearly marked for public use.
The SaveStation donation, spearheaded by the HVPOA, is the result of a contribution by the HVPOA, and generous donations from citizens and businesses within the Horseshoe Valley Area, in collaboration with the Township of Oro-Medonte (Oro-Medonte Fire and the Township’s Parks division) and Odyssey Medical, marking the first placement of an outdoor AED SaveStation in the Township’s municipal park system.
The Zoll Plus AED, generously donated by Odyssey Medical, is equipped with a SaveStation AIVIA GO monitoring device. This provides 24/7 monitoring of the AED status, ensuring it is ‘ready for rescue’. It also includes location services with GPS tracking, and hands-free two-way communication with emergency services.
Kevin Jones, executive director of event operations, national, Odyssey Medical commented that, “Odyssey Medical is proud to be a member of the Oro-Medonte community. When the opportunity to support this vital safety initiative became available, the answer was easy. We hope the local community will continue to support this initiative in building a cardiac safe community.”
The SaveStation cabinet keeps the AED warm in the winter, and cool in the summer — this technology has been in Europe for over 10 years. SaveStation is proudly bringing this life-saving equipment to North America.
Mayor Harry Hughes commented that “the SaveStation Tower, with life-saving AED technology within the Township’s municipal park system, is an extremely important step to assist with keeping the Oro-Medonte community safe.
"Donating the SaveStation in former deputy mayor Scott Jermey’s memory exemplifies the significant level of importance deputy mayor Jermey placed on public health and safety. Oro-Medonte council thanks all those; both past and present, who continue to work to increase the availability of AEDs throughout our community.”
Pat Jermey commented that “Scott’s sisters are honoured that his service to the community will be recognized through this AED installation. If installations in public settings such as this one can help to save a life; that would be the realization of his vision for Oro-Medonte.”
The first outdoor SaveStation in North America was placed in Barrie, Ontario. For the past five years; communities, schools, outdoor facilities, neighbourhoods, etc. have been actively involved with assisting to place AEDs outdoors in highly visible and recognizable SaveStation Towers, easily accessible, and close to people.
Backgrounder
First Outdoor SaveStation in North America
The first outdoor SaveStation in North America was placed in Barrie and since then, communities, schools, outdoor facilities, neighbourhoods, etc. are now getting on board and helping place AEDs outside in highly visible, easily recognizable SaveStations, where they belong – close to people.
When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, we are highly dependent on the public to step in and help. SaveStations (savestation.ca) empower people to save lives by providing quick public access to life-saving AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators). SaveStation is leading the way to providing 24/7 access to AEDs by placing them in highly visible, easily accessible outdoor SaveStations and providing the tools and resources to launch effective public awareness campaigns so that people feel confident to know when and how to use them.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time, and when it strikes, every second matters. For every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent.
In Canada, 40,000 people suffer out of hospital cardiac arrests every year; the majority happening at home or in a public place. Currently, only 10 per cent of people survive. Studies show that the immediate use of an AED combined with CPR can increase the likelihood of survival
by 75 per cent or more; however, all too often, AEDs are kept behind locked doors and are not publicly accessible.
Placing AEDs in outdoor SaveStations will significantly increase the chance of survival by making these devices accessible to anyone, at any time. SaveStation is inspiring communities across Canada to become Cardiac Safe Communities which strive to place public-access AEDs every four minutes apart. By working together, community leaders, neighbours and business owners can create a Cardiac Safe Community and save more lives from sudden cardiac arrest.
You have the power to save a life. If someone is unconscious and not breathing or just gasping irregularly
- Call 911
- Begin CPR immediately
- Ask someone to retrieve the nearest AED, turn it on and follow the voice instructions.
Sponsor a SaveStation – https://savestation.ca/sponsor/
SaveStation offers sponsorship opportunities that allow organizations to demonstrate their corporate social responsibility in a chosen neighbourhood. Corporate sponsors who are interested in contributing to the health and safety of a community receive recognition for the placement.
SaveStations can now be placed on the side of a home. When the majority of sudden cardiac arrests occur in public places or in homes, placing a SaveStation on the side of a home provides 24/7 protection to a group of homeowners. The ‘Neighbourhood SaveStation Program’ is reminiscent of the days of ‘Block Parent’ where we all looked out for one another.
SaveStation offers a commemorative program to honour loved ones with a SaveStation placement. A commemorative plaque is mounted alongside the SaveStation.
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