Nason Foundation, SAEMS Distribute Automatic Defibrillators (AEDs)

The Nason Foundation recently made funds available for the purchase of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) for community AED programs and purchased the first six devices.

The foundation works with Southern Alleghenies EMS Council, to purchase and distribute devices and to assist with implementation of the community AED program.

An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is a battery-operated portable device that is used on people who are experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) to check the heart's rhythm and sends a shock to the heart to help restore normal rhythm if a problem is detected. Thanks to the small size and ease of use, AEDs are being installed in many public areas and have served a role in expanding the number of opportunities for life-saving defibrillation.

SCA is the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. Approximately 356,000 people of all ages experience out-of-hospital SCA each year and nine out of 10 victims die. When bystanders intervene immediately by giving CPR, and apply and AED survival rates double or triple.

Emergency medical service (EMS) agencies, police departments, school districts, fire departments, community groups and other non-profit organizations within the service area of the Nason Foundation are eligible to be considered to receive an AED.

The first six of these life-saving devices have been distributed through the grant to community organizations.

The following entities have been awarded AEDs to be placed in service at their facilities; Portage Volunteer Fire Co .; Round Knob Church of God, Six Mile Run; Blue Knob Ski Patrol, Claysburg; Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall; Raystown Church of the Brethren, Saxton; and Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Services.

For more information about this program and to see if you are in an eligible service area (determined by your zip code), visit http://www.nasonfoundation.org/aed-program.html or call (814) 201-2265, ext. 105.

Nason Foundation is an organization that seeks to help and improve the quality and well-being of the local community in the Roaring Spring, Martinsburg, Saxton, and Claysburg area. It began as the Spring Cove Foundation in 1980 and was renamed the Nason Foundation in 1988.

Southern Alleghenies EMS Council is a non-profit organization contracted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services to plan, develop, maintain, expand and improve emergency medical services systems within the counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset; and to coordinate those systems into a regional emergency medical services system.