DERBY – Thanks to a $1,000 grant the Paugassett Hook & Ladder Co. received from the Regional Water Authority, there’s an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) onboard the Paugy’s ladder truck.
An AED is used when someone is having a heart attack. They deliver a brief electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.
According to the American Heart Association, AEDs, when used within the first three minutes of sudden cardiac arrest, can increase survival rates over 80 percent.
Past Paugy fire chief Charles M. Stankye, III, said the need to have an AED onboard a truck was prompted after North Haven lost two firefighters on the job in recent years due to heart attacks.
“This is for our members, and it’s there in case something happens,” Stankye said. “Thank God we haven’t had to use it. People don’t always think about this but after the fire is out, we’re still there, packing up hoses, clearing the scene and that can be strenuous work.”
Stankye was joined at the firehouse on New Haven Avenue Tuesday (Dec. 2) by fellow firefighters and RWA officials, who said a grant program to distribute the life-saving AEDs was started by Larry Bingaman, RWA’s late president/CEO.
“Our fire departments are our front lines, and this (grant) is just a small token of our appreciation for you guys and the work that you do here,” said Nicoletta Blevins, RWA’s head of government and community relations. “This is an initiative we are going to continue doing.”
RWA earmarked $15,000 in grant money this year for fire departments to apply for the life-saving devices, according to Blevins. In addition to Derby, Blevins said fire departments in Seymour, Milford and West Haven have received grants this year.
Captain Ed Biggs said having the AED onboard is peace of mind for the volunteers.
“When we need it, we need it and it’s there,” Biggs said. “Hopefully we don’t have to use it ever, but it’s definitely a good tool to have.”
Stankye said the AED cost $1,700. The Paugy’s 22 volunteers also received professional training, at a cost of $300, in how to use the device. The additional costs were covered by a previous grant the department received from the National Volunteer Fire Council, Stankye said.
Stankye said the ladder truck responds to all fires, and also responds to mutual aid in surrounding towns, so the AED will always be there for all the volunteers if ever needed.