Medina FD union buys 2 AEDs to youth softball, baseball programs

Photo and press release from Medina Fire Department

MEDINA – On Nov. 24, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation S. 7424/A. 366A requiring camps and youth sports programs to establish automated external defibrillator, or AED, implementation plans and to have at least one person trained to properly use the AED at camps, games and practice.

This is great legislation! Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) has a 90% fatality rate.

We witnessed a SCA with one of our dear friends recently on scene of an incident. He was one of the 10% due to CPR training and immediate access to a defibrillator. More defibs (AEDs) and people trained in CPR can drive down that 90% fatality rate.

The problem with this legislation is funding. These camps, sport groups and athletic associations were going to take a big hit with their budgets to be compliant with the legislation.

Understanding the benefits of the legislation and the difficulties it would bring locally to the Medina Loyal Softball and Baseball programs, Village of Medina Firefighter’s Local 2161 stepped up to the plate and smacked a home run.

Medina Firefighter’s Local 2161 utilized funds from member’s Union dues and purchased two Zoll AED Plus defibrillators and donated them to the Medina Loyal Softball and Baseball program.

These AEDs will be onsite with trained personnel at both Butts and Pine Street Parks during practices or games. These defibrillators are to be used for anyone, child, adolescent or adult in cardiac arrest.