Defibrillators to be Installed in All City Arenas

North Kildonan Councillor Jeff Browaty is thrilled that a motion he introduced at the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee on Monday, November 17^th is resulting in the installation of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) at all City of Winnipeg arenas.

 “The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends wide-spread access to automated external defibrillators, particularly in locations which are at high risk for incidents of sudden cardiac arrest,” explained Browaty. “While many public venues including City Hall and the city’s indoor pools already have AEDs, most of the city’s arenas do not.”

 Following the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee Meeting on Monday, Councillor Browaty contacted Mayor Sam Katz’s office to explore ways to approve the purchase in the month of November to ensure timely installation and participation in the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s November Challenge to install the devices widely.

Funding was found in the current budgets of the Community Services and Planning, Property and Development departments.

 “I am very pleased by the Mayor’s commitment to fund the installation of life-saving AED devices,” Browaty said. “Timely access to AEDs save lives and this is simply the right thing to do.”

 Through the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the city will be equipping facilities with the ZOLL AED PLUS, an alarmed cabinet, supplies and a 4-hour training session for up to 8 people per device. Two units were already pledged this month for the Terry Sawchuk and Billy Mosienko arenas by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.