Access to defibrillators varies by venue
A health emergency last month has illustrated the need to know where and when the public can access defibrillators.
When a woman went into cardiac arrest at the grocery store last month, the community sprang into action.
Local residents took turns performing CPR until firefighters arrived. They responded very quickly, arriving in six minutes from the time of the call at 4:45 p.m.
In the meantime, another person had gone to fetch the defibrillator at Station on the Green but for some reason they couldn’t gain access to the building. Someone else went to get the defibrillator at the arena but they arrived at the grocery store at the same time firefighters arrived on scene with their own unit.
Acting Fire Chief Roree Payment said firefighters were able to restore the patient’s vital signs. (It was the first of three saves in three weeks for the department).
He said early and proper CPR is the most effective in helping someone who has no vital signs, as well as an immediate call to 9-1-1.
“Early access to an AED [automated external defibrillator] is very beneficial,” said Payment, adding. “When CPR is started right away that is how we find ourselves a lot more successful with save rates.”
The incident has sparked a conversation about CPR training and access to defibrillators, of which there are six in Creemore. In addition to those at Station on the Green and the arena, which are maintained by the fire department, along with those at the Creemore Curling Club, the library and the Creemore Medical Centre, there is one at Creemore Springs Brewery. The one at the brewery is accessible by employees and National EHS Manager Lesley Harris said they are in the process of securing a second defibrillator which will be located in the retail store, and will be much more accessible to the public. All retail staff will be trained on how to use it, she said.
The locations are often chosen for their public access but also for security. Because they are expensive, there is a risk of them being tampered with, vandalized or stolen.
The defibrillator at Station on the Green is accessible when the public washrooms are open, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
Here is a list of defibrillators located at township facilities.
• Dunedin Community Centre
• Avening Community Hall
• Brentwood Community Hall
• Clearview Public Works Department
• Stayner Community Centre
• Sunnidale Library
• Sunnidale Hall
• Stayner Library
• Duntroon Hall
• Nottawa Memorial Community Hall
• Township of Clearview (town hall)
• Creemore Library
• Creemore Station on the Green
• Stayner Arena
• Clearview emergency hub, Station 1
• Creemore Medical Centre
• Creemore Arena
• Creemore Curling Club
• Stayner Centennial Pool and Curling Club.
There is also a defibrillator at Creemore Springs Brewery’s Distribution Centre on Airport Rd., south of Stayner, which is accessible by asking an employee during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
