AED at Thorndike Field
The Town of Arlington recently announced the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at two locations. An AED can help those suffering sudden cardiac arrest; it’s an easy-to-use medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
The AEDs now are at Buck Field/Hill’s Hill Field on Summer Street and at Thorndike Field at the end of Margaret Street by the Minuteman Bikeway. For security reasons, the climate-controlled boxes are locked, so one must call 911 to contact emergency services and obtain the necessary code to unlock the box and access the AED unit.
Arlington resident Lyn Shamban donated both AEDs; it’s a cause that means a lot to her. In 2010, her husband died after suffering cardiac arrest while at his gym; a physician later told her that her husband might have survived had an AED been promptly used. Since then, as detailed in a YourArlington interview a couple of months ago, Shamban has made efforts in a variety of ways to make the lifesaving devices more publicly available.
The town is grateful for her efforts and her donation, a news release said, and staff plan to continue to work with her on providing additional units in other Arlington parks in the future.
“I was impressed and gratified to see the collaboration between the town’s recreation department, fire department, police dispatch and the town manager as they effectively installed the AEDs and promptly informed Arlington residents of the AEDs locations, purpose and how to use them,” Shamban told YourArlington via email over the weekend. “I am extremely grateful to everyone who was involved in making this happen.”
Town officials agree on the value of AEDs.
“Heart attacks can come on without warning, and seconds matter,” said Arlington Fire Chief Kevin Kelley in the news release. “Having these AEDs available and knowing how to use them can save lives.”
AED at Buck Field/Hill’s Hill Field
Town Manager Jim Feeney said, “I strongly encourage everyone to be aware of these new medical devices that can help save lives. I also want to thank Lyn Shamban for her generous donation and Arlington’s Recreation and Fire departments for their collaboration to get these AEDs installed.”
View a training video on how to use the AED unit.
This announcement was published Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, based on a news release from the Town of Arlington, a recent statement from local resident Lyn Shamban and YourArlington’s files.
