Home »
Sparwood SaveStation makes public safety a priority
The District of Sparwood has made public safety a top priority with the newly installed SaveStation, located behind the Sparwood Leisure Centre.
The SaveStation, is an accessible, outdoor, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), designed to deliver a potentially life-saving shock to those experiencing cardiac arrest. The SaveStation, made its way into the community through a fully funded grant application from Canadian Pacific Rail (CP), CP Has Heart Community Fund Grant which was facilitated with assistance from Sonya Anderson with Cardiac Safe Communities.
Sparwood Mayor David Wilks is happy to see this invaluable device installed.
“While AED’s are generally accessible in public spaces, for example, within the Leisure Center and the Municipal Office, access to these devices are restricted when the buildings close. This SaveStation was placed in an area that is central to where activity occurs in Sparwood. Its location, next to the washrooms at the Spray Park is surrounded by sports fields, courts, parks, and in an area where many community events often take place. So many of us are impacted by sudden cardiac arrest, and when someone is in distress, every minute matters. It really brings a peace of mind to council to know that this is here, available any day of the week, or time of day,” he said.
The AED is fully weatherproof, temperature controlled, remotely monitored, and provides voice commands when the device is being utilized. To prevent theft, upon opening the cabinet, a visual and audible alert will sound, and a built-in camera will take a photo.
Videos on the use of the AED will be shared within the community to empower residents to lead how to use the device. Residents are reminded that in any emergency assess the scene for personal safety and call 9-1-1 first.
Lead image: Photo. Sparwood Mayor Wilks stands next to the SaveStation AED Unit, located behind the Sparwood Leisure Centre. Photo Credit: District of Sparwood
District of Sparwood
