First responders, city employees, members of the public, and the public school system gathered on Sunday, October 12, at Dallas Jones Park/Fiedler Family Ball Complex and at Grandview Park to unveil two new AEDs (automated external defibrillators) that were installed thanks to generous donations from community members.
Parks and Recreation Director Briar Burr opened the celebration by thanking everyone who contributed to the installation of the two units.
“The biggest thing about these is accessibility,” said Burr. “You might have AEDs through town; having them accessible 24/7 is huge.”
Burr then turned it over to Brenna (Leyden) Joy, who was instrumental in securing the units through the Aliver Foundation. The Aliver Foundation’s Mission is to raise awareness and funds to install all-weather AEDs in outdoor recreation spaces while providing crucial resources and educational opportunities to individuals and communities.
Joy, a Falls City graduate, helped the town of Hickman get one installed earlier this year. With the installation, Falls City becomes just the second city in the Midwest to place an AED in a public setting, accessible 24/7.
Joy stated the goal of the Aliver Foundation is to make the units available nationwide.
According to Joy, if someone goes into cardiac arrest, a call to 911 will give them a four-digit code that can be entered on the cabinet to open the unit.
“The AED just comes out and then they turn it on and it talks through the whole thing,” said Joy. “It tells you to turn on the AED, and it activates. It tells you to plug in the pads, put the pads on and shows on the pads where to place them on the person. It’s very user-friendly.”
Joy said that if the AED is ever used, the company will send a new one at no cost to replace it.
The cabinet features a built-in heating system, enabling the units to be used in all weather conditions.
“I’m just grateful for all of your support, the first responders, the community and everything,” said Joy.