ARTHUR – A potentially life-saving device has been installed at the Arthur Senior Citizen Hall.
In the interest of ensuring the safety and well-being of the local senior community, Patti Emery, coordinator of services for the hall, identified the need for the hall to have an automated external defibrillator (AED).
VON SMART volunteer exercise leader Dianne McDonald then asked Wellington North councillor Steve McCabe to have an AED purchased and installed at the hall.
McCabe advocated for the installation of an AED, paid for by the Township of Wellington North, which was installed at the local senior centre building. The AED, a crucial device in emergencies, can potentially save lives in case of sudden cardiac arrest.
As part of this initiative, the centre’s exercise program supervisor Kelly Gee, a first-aid and CPR instructor for St. John Ambulance, conducted a training session on AED usage on Aug. 2. The training was aimed at educating seniors on how to effectively operate the AED during critical situations. McCabe also participated in the training.
The session covered the proper use of the AED, alongside basic first-aid and CPR techniques, “empowering attendees with the knowledge and confidence to handle emergencies confidently,” stated Gee in an email to the Community News.
“The installation of the AED in the senior centre represents a thoughtful and proactive approach … towards promoting the health and safety of the senior population.
“This milestone initiative is a testament to the township’s commitment to providing top-notch care for its residents, ensuring a safer and more secure community for all.”
Gee added, “The members of the Arthur Senior Citizen Hall express their heartfelt gratitude to councillor McCabe for his dedication and foresight in championing this life-saving endeavor.
“With the AED now available at the senior centre, everyone can take comfort in knowing that prompt and efficient medical assistance is within reach, making the senior centre an even more secure and caring place for all.”
