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Talbot Cares expands AED network and CPR training; foundation reports $250,000 invested in outdoor devices
Summary
County and Talbot Paramedic Foundation representatives briefed the council on the Talbot Cares public access defibrillator (PAD) program, reporting nearly 300 AEDs in the PAD network, plans to exceed 300 by year end, more than 1,000 issued CPR cards, and approximately $250,000 allocated to outdoor tower installations this year.
Talbot County’s Talbot Cares public access defibrillator (PAD) program has grown substantially, county staff and foundation volunteers told the county council on Tuesday, with nearly 300 AEDs deployed across businesses, public spaces and a growing number of outdoor, temperature‑regulated cabinets at parks and sports venues.
Rachel Cox, identified at the meeting as the county’s special‑programs paramedic leading Talbot Cares work, said the PAD program currently accounts for 294 AED devices in the network and that the total will exceed 300 by the end of the year. Cox said the devices are located at 160 locations and that the county added 10 new certified CPR instructors and issued more than 1,000 CPR completion cards (not counting hands‑only trainings).
Wayne Dye, president of the Talbot Paramedic Foundation, told the council the foundation funds the Talbot Cares outdoor towers and that each outdoor unit costs roughly $6,000–$7,000. Dye said Talbot Cares has spent about $250,000 on the tower installations to date and that 30 outdoor units are installed with seven more planned for St. Michael’s School Complex. The foundation is fundraising to continue expansion.
Council members asked about coverage in specific towns and about container design for historic districts; Cox said staff is evaluating aesthetic options for areas such as Oxford and Yarmouth ferry launch sites. Cox also outlined other life‑saving kit components in the outdoor towers: stop‑the‑bleed trauma kits and naloxone (Narcan) overdose kits.
Cox listed recently added outdoor and public placements — YMCA, Peach Blossom, pickleball courts, Hog Neck Golf Course, Moton Park, Easton High School sports complex and others — and said the towers are temperature‑regulated and monitored. Dye said the foundation and partner Team Tracer (Team Trace) launched the concentrated tower effort three years ago and that the older PAD program placing indoor AEDs began more than 20 years ago.
Councilmembers thanked program staff and volunteers and praised the partnership model. No formal council action was required.
