Fairfield Federal partners with Park National Bank, Vinton County National Bank to donate AEDs

LANCASTER — Fairfield Federal, in partnership with Park National Bank and Vinton County National Bank, has sponsored 30 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be distributed to non-profit organizations in Fairfield County. The Community Heart Watch committee coordinated the acquisition of the AEDs and awarded them to the non-profits at an event held at Fairfield Medical Center’s River Valley Campus yesterday to commemorate the occasion.

Community Heart Watch engages local entities through heart health education and awareness to encourage bystander intervention to help save the life of a cardiac arrest victim. Comprised of local healthcare providers, emergency responders, and community leaders, the committee helps place AEDs in locations across the region and provides training in CPR in local businesses, schools, and at community events.

“This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity to improve health and safety in our community. We’re able to multiply the impact of life-saving devices through this joint initiative,” said Mary Snider, Fairfield Federal President. “Leadership from Community Heart Watch and Fairfield Medical Center on this effort is especially indicative of a steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of our neighbors, customers, coworkers, family, friends, and passersby that could, at any moment, be in immense need of critical care.”

Each bank sponsored the cost of 10 AEDs, which are covered under a five-year lease for the local non-profit recipients. Those receiving Avive AEDs from Fairfield Federal are among the following: Pickerington Youth Athletic Association (two), Berne Township Softball and Baseball (two), Salvation Army, Maywood Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Olivedale Senior Center, Ryder Vaughan, and the STARLight Center, a mental health crisis stabilization facility established this past February.

Cardiac arrest survival decreases to less than 10% within minutes of a person’s collapse without any intervention (CPR and AED) by bystanders or emergency responders. The addition of 30 AED devices will magnify the reach of local bystanders, improving the chances of survival. The Avive AEDs are equipped with a cellular connection, enabling 911 dispatchers to activate Avive AEDs that are in close proximity to an incident and to alert bystanders to take the AED to the scene using an electronic map on the face of the device.

To learn about Community Heart Watch initiatives and how to get involved, visit www.fmchealth.org/community-heart-watch/.

Submitted by Fairfield Federal Savings & Loan