Health & Fitness
Woodstock To Install 4 Automatic Defibrillators Around Downtown
The AEDs are fully contained units that will be placed in high traffic pedestrian areas such as the Market Street.
From The City of Woodstock: The Woodstock DDA and Main Street Woodstock will begin the process of installing 4 outdoor Automatic Defibrillation Devices (AEDs) around downtown following the approval of a funding partnership by Northside Hospital Cherokee. The AEDs are fully contained units that will be placed in high traffic pedestrian areas such as the Market Street trailhead area and the Park at City Center.
Local resident Michael Gullicksen, following training he received in paramedic school, brought the idea of accessible AEDs to the attention of city staff. “Northside Hospital Cherokee is a proud neighbor and sponsor of Main Street Woodstock,” states CEO Billy Hayes. “Every day, approximately 1,000 people nationwide – more than 350,000 Americans each year – die from sudden cardiac arrest. Placing AEDs within the community means reaching patients in the first critical minutes following cardiac arrest.” Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas adds, “When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, every minute counts. The American Heart Institute guidelines say that for every minute, the chances of a victim surviving decrease by 7 to 10 percent. These devices being readily available in public areas can help save lives.” The deployment of these 4 AEDs is around $10,000, which was supplied by Northside Hospital Cherokee through ongoing community relations programs and are expected to be installed mid-summer.
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