New AED unveiled at Libro Centre

A new automated external defibrillator was unveiled last Thursday morning at the fieldhouse on the Libro Centre grounds. Members of town council, Amherstburg Fire Department, Essex-Windsor EMS, Windsor Police were on hand. The Amherstburg Pickleball Association received AED training the same day. The unit is seen in the photo below.

A new defibrillator has been installed at the Libro Centre and it was officially unveiled last week.

The new automated external defibrillator is outside, under the pavilion near the concession stand at the WFCU Fieldhouse, close to the premier baseball diamond, turf soccer/football field and the Miracle League of Amherstburg baseball diamond. Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio thanked Essex-Windsor EMS for helping to champion the project as well as Enbridge Gas. Life-saving AED’s are being put up across Essex County, Windsor and Pelee Island thanks to a $30,000 grant from Enbridge.

Mio thanked Essex-Windsor EMS for training people how to use the devices. The fire chief also praised EMS’ commitment to public safety.

Paramedic Dave Thibodeau, who specializes in public safety with Essex-Windsor EMS, was on hand to help train members of the Amherstburg Pickleball Association, the latter having purchased an AED that will be installed near their courts.

Thibodeau said there are nearly 2,000 AED’s across the region that are tracked through the PulsePoint AED app. People can use the app to find the nearest AED in case of an emergency, but Thibodeau pointed out about 90 per cent of them are on private property and inaccessible when a business closes for the day.

The Windsor-Essex County area has a higher rate of sudden cardiac arrest than the provincial average, he said, adding that 30 public defibrillators are being installed around the region with the help of Enbridge and local municipalities. 

The new AED is available for public use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The defibrillator is in a circular, heated, illuminated and alarmed cabinet.

Thibodeau said he and other EMS staff have held 11 training sessions so far this year. Training is free and takes about two to three hours to complete. Those interested can e-mail defib@countyofessex.ca.

Mayor Michael Prue recalled attending a recent Essex Powerlines meeting and hearing of a staff member having to use an AED while attending a sports event. Because of the staff member being trained and an AED being accessible nearby, the person who needed medical attention was able to be saved. 

New AED unveiled at Libro Centre

By Ron Giofu