AEDs for all New Brunswick Schools
Province Funds Placement of 49 AEDs
We are pleased to announce that every New Brunswick school will now be equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) thanks to a partnership between the provincial government and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick.
“Public schools play a central role as gathering places for all age groups in communities across the province,” explained Bruce Fitch, Minister of Health for the Government of New Brunswick. "This investment in AEDs means every community with a school now has access to this life-saving equipment.”
A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time, and occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. Survival rates drop significantly without an AED or Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). When AEDs are used in combination with CPR within the first few minutes, the chances of survival can double. Quick access to an AED in the event of a cardiac arrest is critical to saving lives.
“We have seen time and time again the impact that AEDs can have when utilized in a timely manner,” explained Dr. Michel D’Astous, Cardiologist, Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and Heart & Stroke NB Board member. “It is a matter of life and death, and today we can celebrate that every school in our province is helping to close a gap in the delivery of emergency medical services.” Experts recommend that AEDs be available in locations where large groups of people gather, or where EMS may take longer to reach.
AEDs are effective, safe and user-friendly devices that have been specifically designed for anyone to use. In a situation where every second counts, Heart & Stroke NB is focused on making AEDs widely accessible in as many public spaces as possible.
“Ensuring that our schools are a safe place for children and adults to use these facilities is very important,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan.“Our education facilities are a safe place for community members to come together and take part in various events.”
Because of the generosity of many donors, 471 AEDs have been installed in communities around the province, according to Kurtis Sisk, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick. Sisk noted at the announcement, “We are proud that some of those units have already been used by heroic bystanders to save the lives of many New Brunswickers. With this announcement, we are not only able to make AEDs more accessible to more people, but we are also spreading awareness about the vital impact of this life-saving tool.”
References
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick [HSFNB]. (2023, March 1). PROVINCE, HEART & STROKE NB ENSURE EVERY SCHOOL IS EQUIPPED WITH AED [Press release].