What would life be like if automated external defibrillators (AED) were as common as fire extinguishers? How many lives would be saved? How many rescue personnel would be able to reach a sudden cardiac arrest patient in time?
The Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor (CPE) is attempting to answer these questions and many more by making AED units readily accessible to the general community.
The idea for the AED drive began with one Clarkston business owner attending a presentation on the technology available for successfully combating sudden cardiac arrest given by Independence Fire Chief Steve Ronk and EMS Coordinator Robert Cesario.
The presentation demonstrated that the successful administration of an AED within four to five minutes of sudden cardiac arrest improved victim survival rates by nearly 50 percent. AED is a device that delivers an electric shock to a heart that is not working properly to help re-establish normal contraction rhythms.
The AED device walks the user through the application steps – from attaching the chest pads to determining whether a shock is necessary. Verbal and written directions guide the responding individual through the necessary life saving steps. In addition, AED units detect whether or not defibrillation is taking place, and whether or not a shock is needed.
After hearing the presentation, the Clarkston businessman ? Luc Robert ‘Slick? Poirier, co-founder and chief operating officer of Slick and Bubba’s Elite & Expeditious Websites ? realized how easily this life saving device could help the public play a vital role in assisting a sudden cardiac arrest victim, and those rescue personnel responding.
‘I was so impressed by the ease of the unit,? said Poirier. ‘If we can make our rescue personnel’s job easier to help us, than it’s a complete win-win situation.?
Poirier created the idea of encasing the simple-to-use devices in unlocked weatherproof cabinets and then mounting the units on something like a lamppost. The concept was to make the device accessible to the general public for quick response, not locked inside a building or rescue vehicle.
Poirier approached a local service organization about purchasing a unit for the Independence Fire Department, but said he was met with a ‘lackluster? response. Frustrated yet determined, Poirier committed his own company to purchase a unit for the department.
A second Clarkston business owner ? William H. Langdon, Jr., president of Langdon Capital Management, Inc. ? concurred with Poirier’s idea and, after discussing the idea – agreed his business would also donate one AED unit. However, Langdon decided to raise the bar with a challenge: ‘If Slick and Bubba’s will buy two units, then Langdon Capital will buy two units.?
The agreement was made, and both Langdon and Poirier felt so strongly about their commitment that each received CPR and AED training and certification through the American Heart Association.
Through more discussion, the two men realized there were many other opportunities for concerned business owners to address identifiable community needs ? and the Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor was formed.
This non-profit organization’s goal is to identify and react to civic needs quickly, without having to navigate the cumbersome path of bureaucracy, laden with red tape, and engage in time wasting debate.
The organization has taken on the AED drive as its first endeavor. Currently, Fire Chief Ronk, EMS Coordinator Cesario and Jennifer Pickett, MSPH, heart and stroke initiatives director for the American Heart Association, have endorsed the movement.
Langdon and Poirier said the locations of their first four to five units are determined: in front of the Clarkston Cafe, in front of The Clarkston News, at the entrance to Depot Park and one to two at the concession stand in Clarkston High School’s stadium.
‘This is something for every age from grandchildren to grandparents to anyone of us here,? said Langdon. ‘No matter how hard this is to hear, this will happen eventually to someone, and these can be there to help.?
Now the Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor is taking a step forward and asking local businesses to make a positive impact on the community by becoming involved in the AED drive.
The AED units come from Medtronic and are the preferred choice of the Independence Fire Department. Each unit runs approximately $3,000 and includes two five-year batteries, a bright-red weatherproof casing, mounting equipment and two bronze plates. If the Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor receives commitments for 25 units or more, price breaks will directly reduce the out-of-pocket expense.
The Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor will strive to give all participating businesses the attention they deserve:
n The business name will be cast in two bronze plates mounted on both sides of the weatherproof casings.
n The business will be listed on the ‘Contributors? page of www.clarkstonaed.org and given a full page to discuss why they felt so strongly about participating in the Clarkston AED project as well as talk about their business.
n A link on www.clarkstonaed.org will connect to the contributing business website.
n The business will be discussed in a press release.
n The business will be a guest on an upcoming cable access program the Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor is planning to launch.
n The business is welcome to participate in any speaking engagements and tell their story that lead to their participation in the AED project.
‘When a business makes a commitment to this project, we are going to make sure everybody knows,? said Langdon.
The Clarkston Philanthropic Endeavor enjoys speaking about the AED project to businesses, organizations, clubs or at functions. To arrange a donation or speaking engagement, or just to receive more information, please visit www.clarkstonaed.org.