ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — The Attleboro Fire Department recently received a generous and potentially life-saving donation.

Sisters At Heart gifted the fire department with eight automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The fire department is in the process of mounting the donated AEDs in public spaces across the city.

So far, AEDs have been successfully installed at Hayward Field, Ponson Hewitt Field and Dodgeville Field. The fire department said AEDs will also be placed at Horton Field, Finberg Field, Highland Park, Capron Park and Lees Pond.

The donation marks a “major step forward” in improving the city’s emergency response to sudden cardiac events, according to the fire department.

“We are incredibly grateful for this life-saving donation from Sisters at Heart,” Attleboro Fire Chief Scott LaChance said. “These AEDs will provide critical assistance in emergencies, and we urge everyone to take the time to familiarize themselves with bystander CPR. Together, we can make our community safer and more resilient.”

In the event of a cardiac emergency, residents are urged to call 911 immediately and start hands-only CPR. The dispatcher will provide the caller with an access code to unlock the AED, which will be securely housed in a weatherproof box.

“The great thing about AEDs is that they’re built with the mindset that the person using it has never used one before,” explained Attleboro Lt. Corey Blais. “[The AED will] walk you through it step by step, so don’t be afraid to use them.”

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