(9/19) GVAA President Michelle Fyock attended the September parks commission meeting to advocate for the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Heritage Farm Park sports facilities. AEDs are defibrillator devices essential in the treatment of cardiac arrest, which according to Fyock is the "leading cause of death among young athletes."
In the spring, a harrowing incident involving a 10-year-old baseball player who was struck in the chest by a line drive highlighted the pressing need for these devices. Although the young athlete, who initially collapsed upon the hit, turned out only to be dazed, the question looms: what if he hadn’t been so fortunate?
According to medical experts, time is of the essence when it comes to cardiac emergencies. While CPR is a valuable life saving skill, it may not be sufficient on its own. "An AED should ideally be no more than three minutes away from any given location within the park," said Fyock. "The average ambulance response time nationally is seven minutes, [so having accessible] AEDs can more than double chances of survival."
Although it is recommended that individuals train to operate an AED, these portable devices are generally user-friendly, equipped with voice prompts that guide even untrained individuals through the life-saving process.
Although members of the parks commission agreed with the importance of installing AEDs, concerns were raised about the effects of fluctuating hot and cold temperatures on the electronic components of the devices. The question of environmental factors like heat and cold is an important consideration. AEDs must be serviced annually to ensure their functionality, and it may be prudent to temporarily remove them during extreme weather conditions.
Commission members agreed to take note of AED setup in Mount Airy, where the devices are placed in concession stands and practice sheds but moved closer to fields during practices and games. No matter the location, once installed, it will be imperative to educate staff and visitors on the usage of AEDs. Collaborating with fire and rescue services to provide training sessions and demonstrations can ensure that the devices are used effectively during critical situations.
In terms of cost, AEDs tend to be initially priced around $700, with additional add-ons pushing the price to $1,000-$1,200. The commission decided that it may be best to start with the installation of one or two of the devices, and explore the possibility of acquiring more units in the future.
Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis relayed information from the September 6 discussion of AEDs to the September 13 Town Council meeting, where Burgess Chad Weddle recommended that the town seek a consultant or AED provider to assess the logistics of AED installation within all Walkersville parks. Weddle emphasized that this would include theft deterrence due to both the importance and the expense of the units.
With the council in agreement to consult a professional agency prior to moving forward with AEDs, Commissioner Gary Baker also proposed that the Town lobby for a larger rescue force in order to shorten emergency response time. "Where I see a problem is Walkersville responds to a lot of places," said Baker. "So all of a sudden, what could be a five minute response time is 10 to 15 minutes."
Commissioner Mike McNiesh also suggested the installation of signage within parks to clearly mark specific locations, enabling callers to provide precise information when dialing 911.
All of these propositions will be considered more thoroughly in the future in conjunction with experts in the field.
Read other news articles on Walkersville
