AtlantiCare Provides New AEDs for Assumption, Bayview

Director Cathryn Flammer knew needed a new automated external defibrillator (AED).

She contacted the Heart Institute Heart Heroes about donating an AED to the fire department through the institutes matching funds program.

On March 1, students from the school and representatives from the institute presented Bayview with a new AED.

However, the fire department wasn’t the only group to receive a new AED that day: AtlantiCare also presented the students with a new AED.

“When it comes to a heart attack, getting help fast can be lifesaving,” AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Cardiovascular Resources Director Karen Carlson told the students. “We know in addition to the classes you have at Assumption there are many events and activities that you hold.

"We hope you never have to use the AED but your teachers will be trained and the school will be prepared if the need arises. Thank you for helping your community and for helping create awareness about the importance of getting prompt help for a heart attack.”

Assumption students engage in a civic activity aimed at helping others in the community each month, according to a release issued by AtlantiCare on Friday. These events have included a Ravishing Red Day, held Feb. 2, during Catholic Schools Week. On that day, students contributed $2 each to wear red instead of their regular uniforms, and teachers contributed $5 each, and wore red in support of the effort. In total, more than $800 was raised, and $600 of that went to the institute for the new AED.

“We are so proud of our students who exemplify on a daily basis the meaning of service and community spirit,”  Their dedication, coupled with the tremendous opportunity to partner with a premier organization like AtlantiCare has enabled us to provide a vital piece of lifesaving equipment to our hero volunteers at the Bayview Volunteer Fire Company for the benefit of the entire community.” Assumption Principal Mary Ellen Schurtz said.

“We are very appreciative of Assumption Regional Catholic School and AtlantiCare for their generosity,” said Bayview Safety Officer Joseph J. Picardi, who is also a certified CPR/AED instructor and is responsible for placement and maintenance of the companies’ AEDs. “We’ll use the AED the students and ARMC’s Heart Heroes have given us for our 102-foot ladder tower. With this donation, all of our frontline apparatus (two engines and our tower ladder) will be equipped with AEDs.

"Since there are times when only one of our trucks responds to a call, this will ensure that there is always an AED present at the scene of an emergency or a training session. This is very important, because heart attacks account for over half of all firefighter fatalities. Having an AED immediately available will give our personnel a better chance of survival should they suffer cardiac arrest. In addition it will allow us to be better prepared to assist the public.” 

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Cardiologist Patrick O’Beirne’s daughter, Emma, is in first grade at Assumption. He spoke to the students about the importance of acting quickly in the event of a heart attack.

“If you think someone is having a heart attack, dial 911,” O’Beirne said. “Having an AED and people who are trained to use it is especially helpful because they can use the AED before professional help arrives.”