Rec Dept. looks to add defibrillators to town parks

In the wake of a new state public health law, the Parks and Recreation Department is proposing the purchase of six new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to install throughout the town’s parks system.

Rec Director Nina Kallmeyer gave a presentation on the project to the Town Board at its Dec. 3 meeting, noting the state now requires AEDs in various public settings, including parks, high-traffic areas and locations where strenuous physical activity regularly occurs.

The law also extends to state-owned buildings, transportation hubs and municipal parks that host organized athletic events. The intent of the regulations, Kallmeyer said, is to “ensure ready access to life-saving equipment, thereby improving emergency response times and reducing the risk of fatal outcomes in high-risk environments.”

While the town does have some defibrillators at some parks, they are not always accessible, so to support compliance with state law the Rec Dept. wants to purchase and install six Lifepak CR2 AED units, along with first responder kits, 180-degree projecting AED signs and all-weather AED enclosures throughout the parks system.

Kallmeyer said the AEDs will provide “critical assistance during cardiac emergencies and ensure that facilities meet state safety standards.”

The Rec Dept. would purchase the defibrillators from Advantage Emergency Devices in Brewster and install them in:

• Airport Park - one unit located on the side of the building facing the playground. Total cost: $3,946.25 ($2,846.25 for the unit, and $1,100 for installation and electrical connection)

• Baldwin Meadows Park - one unit located next to the field house. Total cost: $3,946.25 ($2,846.25 for the unit, and $1,100.00 for installation and electrical connection)

• Camarda Park - one unit located on the outside of the field house between the restroom entrances. Total cost: $3,946.25 ($2,846.25 for the unit, and $1,100.00 for installation and electrical connection)

• Jimmy McDonough Park - one unit located on the outside of the field house between the restroom entrances. Total cost: $3,946.25 ($2,846.25 for the unit, and $1,100.00 for installation and electrical connection)

• Sycamore Park - two units, one located by the parking lot, and one located by the playground. Total cost: $7,892.00 ($5,692.50 for the two units, $2,200.00 installation, and electrical connection).

Including the price of installation and electrical connections, Kallmeyer said the total cost of the project would be $23,677.50 and there are sufficient funds in the budget to cover the expenses.

“We do have AEDs in some of the parks. But in Sycamore, our AED is located inside the building so it’s only accessible during business hours,” Kallmeyer told the board. “We do have one down by the beach during the summer season but besides that, God forbid, if someone did have an emergency at Sycamore Park, they wouldn’t be able to access an AED.”

Kallmeyer said there are some AEDs in other town parks, but they are under the auspices of the Mahopac Sports Association (MSA).

“The MSA, one of our main user groups, pretty much [controls] those AEDs at this point,” she said. “The law says that any youth league needs to provide those. So, they do them. But we believe it’s important to us as a town to have them at all the parks and be accessible not only for our user groups but for anybody who is at the park.

“We have the money; we’ve been preparing for this for a few years since the law came out and we just want to keep people safe,” she added.

Patrick FitzGerald, vice president of operations for Advantage Emergency Devices, brought one of the AEDs to the meeting and answered the board’s questions about staff training and how the device is implemented and used.

FitzGerald said that while AEDs are not a new technology, setting them up for outdoor storage and accessibility is.

“What is new is the outdoor storage of these devices. Prior to a few years ago there were not a lot of options,” he said. “They need to be kept free of moisture and within certain temperature ranges.”

The cases these AEDs are stored in are insulated and keep the devices cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The cabinets are kept locked to prevent vandalism. For anyone who doesn’t have the code to gain access they call 911 first. The dispatcher will give them the code to open the case while sending the EMTs.

“You can also give the code to the coaches or park staff or law enforcement—whoever you want to choose,” FitzGerald said. “To deliver a shock successfully—and there are a million variables—generally it has to be done in the first three minutes.”

FitzGerald said the purchase of the AEDs comes with formal and informal training. Rec Dept. staff will be shown how to get access inside the box and learn how to use and maintain the AEDs.

“They will have a big yellow sign that is 360 degrees so as you pull into the park you will be able to see it and that is really the point,” Kallmeyer concluded.