Peabody installs 41 defibrillators throughout city

PEABODY – The City of Peabody has taken extra steps to ensure the overall safety of its citizens in the case of a medical emergency.A total of 41 automated external defibrillators were installed throughout the city thanks to a grant offered through the Peabody Institute-Lahey Foundation for community-based health projects. Peabody’s Health Director Sharon Cameron made the request.”I had been made aware of the grant through (former City Solicitor) Larry O’Keefe, who sits on their board,” said Cameron. “We were talking about public buildings having defibrillators and the Superintendent mentioned wanting them in the schools.”With the help of the $65,000 grant, Superintendent Milton Burnett got his wish. Each elementary school received their own defibrillator, and both the Higgins Middle School and Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, because of their size, received two.”I hope we never have to use them,” said Burnett. “But if we do, they’re there.”Basic training was offered for select school employees in December; however, with the recent event of a student collapsing at the high school, five additional training courses have been scheduled for all staff members to participate in.”We’re going beyond the initial training,” said Burnett. “We’re expanding our training to custodians, clerks, administrators, etc.”In addition to the schools, older units at the Police and Fire Departments were replaced with new ones, two were installed at the Council on Aging, and one was set up at the Public Services Facility.”Our goal is to try to get them placed throughout the community,” said Cameron, however, they carry a hefty price tag.The grant covered the cost of all units valued at $1,100 each, pads, and some training. Cameron said that the only cost to the city was in labor for mounting the units to the wall. Regular maintenance crews did the installation at the schools.”They’re very user friendly,” said Cameron, of the chosen layperson models. “They walk you through the entire process from calling 911, to remaining calm, putting the pads on the person. It really talks you through everything.”Granted there are some parts of the community without their own defibrillator, Cameron said she’s pleased with the amount of those who do have one.”Right now, I feel we’re certainly in a very good position.”