Resident and paramedic urges Fairfield Area SD to add on-field AEDs, cites 'Greg Moyer Act'

A resident and full-time paramedic told the Fairfield Area School District board during public comment that the district should install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at athletic fields so devices are immediately available at practices and games.

The resident said a recent drill showed a round trip to the closest AED can take about six minutes and that some fields are as far as 0.7 miles from the nearest device. “In a cardiac arrest situation, your survival drops 10 percent by every minute,” he said, and argued that having an AED on the sideline could sharply improve survival odds.

He provided estimated costs for the district’s current ZOLL AED model — roughly $2,100 to $2,200 for a unit and necessary accessories — and described a leasing option that he said runs about $30 per month with maintenance included. “That to me is super cheap,” he said of the lease, while acknowledging he would research the terms further.

The resident also told the board he had found a new law, which he called the "Greg Moyer Act," and said it was signed by Governor Shapiro and mandates that an AED be “readily available at all athletic events and include practices” by 2029. He said the bill uses the term “readily accessible,” which he summarized as reachable “safely and immediately.” He framed his suggestion as proactive: he urged the district to consider buying two additional AEDs to get ahead of the law.

Chair said the board appreciated the information. The board did not take formal action on the request at the meeting; the chair noted the board could not approve purchases that night and welcomed the comment for future consideration. The board’s next study session is scheduled for June 8.