Hallmark Health Donates Defibrillator To Stoneham Auxiliary Fire Department

Leaders from Hallmark Health’s Development Department and the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Cardiac and Endovascular Center recently presented the Stoneham Fire Explorers with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heart beat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.

The AED will travel with the Stoneham Fire Explorers to community events such as parades, road races, public concerts and Town Day.

The Fire Explorer Program is a career exploration program for young men and women ages 12 to 21 who want to pursue careers in firefighting and emergency services. The Fire Explorers train weekly and participate in hands-on drills and exercises as well as classroom training. Community service and volunteerism are major components of their training.

The AED will stay with the fire truck assigned to the Auxiliary Fire Department when not in use at Explorer events. Each member of the Fire Explorers is certified in CPR and the use of AED, and many are additionally certified as first responders.

Funds for the purchase of the AED were raised at Hallmark Health’s annual Stride Walk & Run for Healthy Communities. Funds from the Stride are also used to benefit Hallmark Health family health services such as CPR training for high school students, diabetes education and other initiatives to keep the communities healthy.

The 2017 Stride Walk & Run for Healthy Communities will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 9 am. Registration is now open. Technical t-shirts are available for the first 250 registrants. The 5K run/walk course travels around Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield. Register at www.hallmarkhealth.org/stride.