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Advisory board to form subcommittee to study AED cabinets and training in Parkland parks
Summary
Commission direction led the advisory board to begin scoping a program to add stationary AED cabinets and community training. Staff cited cost and liability considerations and asked the board to form a subcommittee to research locations, training and funding. Volunteers named for the subcommittee were Brian, Daniel and Sandra.
The advisory board took up a commission directive to evaluate whether the city should invest in stationary automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinets for parks, expand training, or pursue a combined program.
Staff said rangers currently carry AEDs and units are stored in concession stands and inside the P Rec, but staff raised questions about coverage gaps, visibility, education and maintenance. Staff cited an estimated cost of roughly $15,000 per stationary cabinet, potential liability concerns if a cabinet is not functional, and the need for public training so community members are willing to retrieve and use a device.
Board members agreed a deeper review was warranted and staff recommended forming a subcommittee to gather information on placement, training, costs and legal issues. Staff said Memorial Hospital and other medical partners could be a resource for training and sustainability.
Volunteers for the subcommittee were named during the meeting: Brian (board member; medical professional cited in staff email), Daniel (board member), and Sandra (board member). Staff said the subcommittee’s meetings will be public, generate notes, and return recommendations to the advisory board at the July meeting.
Staff noted from available records that rangers have carried AEDs for several years but that recorded uses have been rare; staff said they will compile historical use data for the subcommittee.
The board discussed coach and volunteer training rates and the difficulty of requiring multi‑hour medical training for volunteer coaches. Staff said Parks and Recreation will continue to offer trainings but that volunteer participation varies.
