CHESTER — The town of Chester is playing it heart smart these days thanks to grant funding and other supporters.
The Chester Fire Department announced the completion of its public AED (automatic external defibrillator) project, placing five more of the life-saving portable devices in town buildings to help in case of a sudden cardiac attack.
In September of 2008, the fire department set out to establish a program for Chester to put additional AEDs in prominent town buildings. Thanks to grant funding from the Samuel P. Hunt Foundation and another anonymous foundation donation, the town secured half of the AED funding needed to place the additional units around town.
Town voters approved an article to fund the other half of the AED project at the town meeting this past May. The program was completed under budget.
Sudden cardiac arrest kills approximately 1,000 people every day in the United States. By using CPR and AEDs within five minutes of an attack, a victim's chance of survival doubles.
Having quick access with an AED can save lives. Having the devices in five of Chester's buildings will make it easier to respond in case of a sudden cardiac incident.
Fire department personnel told residents earlier this year that the department is using more grant writing to help find ways to fund the fire department and in the last few years, grant writing has increased as to help alleviate burden on taxpayers when tough economic times hit home.
In 2008, the department's efforts to find federal and private funding brought in more than $100,000 in grant money to help fund projects like the AEDs, forestry personal protective gear, fire and EMT training and anima resuscitation masks.
AEDs are now installed at Stevens Memorial Hall, the Post Office, the town multipurpose room at the town offices, the Chester Fire Station and in the fire department's Rapid Response Vehicle. The automated defibrillator devices are also located at Chester Academy, the community center at Wason Pond and in each of the Chester Police cruisers.
All AEDs in Chester are registered with the New Hampshire state 911 system.
Chester Fire offers free CPR and AED training available to the public throughout the year. To learn more about the AED program or training opportunities available, contact Fire Chief Richard Antoine at 887-3878
