Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Aed topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Corona officials, volunteers honored after AED use saves pickleball player at Border Park
Summary
City officials recognized volunteers, first responders and the Corona Fire Safety Foundation after an automated external defibrillator (AED) kiosk and bystander response helped save Lorenzo Duenas during a cardiac arrest at Border Park.
Corona City Council recognized a group of volunteers, the Corona Fire Safety Foundation and city emergency personnel Wednesday after a bystander-used automated external defibrillator (AED) and immediate CPR saved a man who collapsed while playing pickleball at Border Park. The council presented a lifesaving award and heard remarks from the survivor and representatives of the fire foundation.
Fire Chief Brian Young recounted the city effort to install publicly accessible AED “save stations” after a fatal cardiac arrest at the same location in April 2022. "We installed that, and lo and behold, in March of this year... they rendered care to Lorenzo here, and he is with us tonight because of their heroic actions," Young said, describing bystanders activating 911, deploying the AED and performing CPR before professional responders arrived.
The rescued man, Lorenzo Duenas, addressed the council and the volunteers who assisted him. "If Larry wasn't there... I would not be here," Duenas said, thanking the group by name and describing how the training and the kiosk together made the difference in his case. Mary Barra, speaking for the Corona Fire Safety Foundation, said the station and other programs are funded through public fundraising, grants and donations and complement placements funded through a Riverside County assistance program.
City staff said the Border Park kiosk was the first in the pilot program and that similar kiosks will be installed at eight additional parks. Staff credited funding support from local nonprofits and a county ARPA Community Improvement District grant for some of the placements. Council and staff encouraged continued community training and noted the city will promote AED awareness and training opportunities.
The recognition included a request that residents learn CPR and that community groups consider fundraising or partnering with the Corona Fire Safety Foundation to place more AED kiosks in public spaces.
The council took no regulatory action in the presentation; the item was a proclamation and recognition only.
