ESTEVAN — Estevan took an important step towards improving public health and safety Wednesday, unveiling its first outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) SaveStation at Churchill Park.
Community leaders gathered to inaugurate the new installation, designed to provide 24/7 access to an AED in cases of sudden cardiac arrest – a condition in which an immediate response is essential to survival.
The opening ceremony saw attendance from Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, city councillors and staff, and members of the Estevan Police Service, Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan EMS.
Estevan safety co-ordinator Helen Fornwald underscored the importance of such installations in preventing fatalities, stating, "In Canada, approximately 2,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest every year, but unfortunately, only 10 per cent survive. When sudden cardiac arrest strikes, every second counts."
She highlighted that public AEDs play a vital role in bridging this gap, adding, "Every minute that goes by, the chance of survival decreases by 10 per cent. Brain damage will start to set in after four to six minutes, and it's irreversible after 10 minutes. Studies show that the immediate use of an AED combined with CPR can drastically increase the likelihood of survival."
Ludwig addressed the group, expressing his gratitude for the community's collective effort in making the SaveStation possible, including support from CPKC Rail, which contributed over $11,000 in grant funding.
"Any time we can help out as a community to save lives is very important," he said.
Ludwig also recognized the various emergency service departments and their collaborative approach to ensuring Estevan's residents have access to essential resources.
"This is a whole community, holistic, caring effort for the people within our community," he emphasized. "If we can save one life, it's well worth it."
Brad Robinson, an Estevan EMS primary care paramedic, spoke on the life-saving significance of quick access to an AED, particularly in public spaces.
"One of the key things that we like about this is the whole idea of early intervention, because time is of the essence," Robinson explained.
This new AED station allows for rapid access to live-saving device across a significant portion of Estevan, supporting both emergency responders and bystanders in urgent situations.
"Early intervention is key … and it's going to be a fantastic asset to the community," Robinson added.
Churchill Park was chosen as an ideal site for the SaveStation due to its central location and role as a community gathering space. This installation is Estevan's first outdoor public AED, adding to those already available in the city's recreational facilities.
Fornwald noted that Estevan joined Moosomin as one of only two locations in southeast Saskatchewan with such a device. Recounting Moosomin's recent success with the SaveStation, she said "With the Town of Moosomin, seven days after they installed it, it actually saved a life."
"It's so powerful to know that by empowering the public with quick access to an AED, they now have the power to save a life if they witness a sudden cardiac arrest," Fornwald added.
The SaveStation accessible AED is equipped with a built-in camera and photo-capturing technology to monitor use, ensuring security.
"If someone opens the cabinet … they're photographed right away," explained Fornwald, adding that the monitoring measures would prevent misuse while still remaining available for emergencies at all hours.
The project was made possible thanks to the city's efforts in researching and applying for a grant, and CPKC Rail covering the $11,211.29 cost of installation and the first four years of associated maintenance expenses.
Fornwald noted that members of the public don't need to have specialized training to use an AED if they witness someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
"When someone has a sudden cardiac arrest, they're highly dependent on the public to step in and help them. AEDs are safe for everyone to use, and you don't need to be trained to respond or to use one. By placing these life-saving devices in an accessible outdoor public space, we can flip the statistics and help save more lives due to sudden cardiac arrest," Fornwald said.
