The installation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at a Warman business across the street from the city’s skate park could potentially save the lives of people experiencing cardiac arrest.
The AED is being installed at the Not A Gym SK facility on Industrial Road. The AED was donated by Warman Fire Rescue (WFR) as part of its Community AED campaign to encourage more businesses to install the life-saving devices.
“We’re excited to provide a place for the public to access an AED in an emergency,” said Not A Gym SK co-owner Robyn Perra. “We’re a fitness centre and we promote overall health, so it’s a good fit for us.”
AEDs are designed to be used by non-medical personnel to administer electrical shocks to someone experiencing a heart attack. When someone goes into cardiac arrest or their heart stops beating, AEDs should be used within the first two or three minutes to be most effective.
Because quick response is critical, AEDs need to be accessible to the public and easily operated, according to WFR firefighter Nathan Balas, who is heading up the fire department’s Community AED campaign.
“We started a committee here at the fire department a while ago,” said Balas. “There are currently 15 AEDs available to the public at various locations throughout Warman, including the schools and city-owned buildings.
“But it’s also important to also have more AEDs at businesses that are accessed by the public.”
Balas said the WFR committee purchased the AED with funds raised by volunteer firefighters. The department then issued an invitation to businesses to apply for the AED.
“We purchased it with the intent of giving back to the community,” said Balas. “We asked businesses to apply. The criteria we used was that we needed to know their hours and location, and whether they were willing to do the training and maintenance on the machine.
“We selected Not A Gym SK because it is locally-owned, has hours that range from early morning to late evening, and is located on the south side of the railway tracks. That’s a part of the city that currently doesn’t have many AEDs.
“It’s also close to the skate park, the dirt bike track, the outdoor rink, the ball diamonds and the campground. Medical emergencies can happen anywhere so it’s important to have something like this available quickly.”
Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin said the WFR will provide hands-on training to all staff of Not A Gym SK so they are completely comfortable with using the device if and when it becomes necessary.
Balas said this donation is the first of many.
“The Community AED campaign will be an ongoing program,” said Balas. “We want to continue this every year.”