Council places on file five-year AED installation and maintenance contract; devices to cover athletic fields

The Cambridge City Council accepted a city manager communication and placed on file a five-year contract plan for installation and maintenance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at athletic facilities across the city.

Fire and emergency communications staff described the program's scope. Captain Jeremy Walsh of the Cambridge Fire Department said the plan envisions AED cabinets that are heated and climate controlled, accessible 24/7 at athletic fields, and monitored remotely for serviceability. "They will be in a cabinet that is heated, climate controlled ... You call 911. They give you a code," Walsh said, describing how Emergency Communications would provide access.

Walsh told the council the procurement covers roughly 46 AED devices to be deployed at athletic complexes, golf course areas and large fields; earlier item language listed 47 devices, and staff confirmed that 46 units are currently planned. The devices include two-way communications and GPS so staff can track battery status and whether a device has been used.

Chief Cahill and Captain Walsh said most cabinets will be co-located near existing police call boxes and require a code from 911 to open. Some large sites (for example the city golf course) will receive multiple units; the golf course units may be seasonally removed because electricity is not available at those locations.

Councilors asked about signage and public outreach; staff agreed to provide maps and to work with the city's electricians and park staff on placement and to publish location information. City staff said $270,000 was earmarked for the program two years ago and that the project is tracking under budget at the time of the meeting.

The item was placed on file by council action recorded as eight members in the affirmative and one absent.