Thanks to a partnership between the #MiddletownRI Athletic Boosters, Fire Department & Town Council, new lifesaving equipment was installed recently outside the concession stand at the Gaudet Athletic Complex on Turner Road.
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CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
LIFESAVING UPGRADES AT GAUDET FIELD
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MARCH 7, 2024) – New lifesaving tools were put in recently at the Gaudet Athletic Complex.
Thanks to the hard work and efforts of the Town Council, Middletown Fire Department and Middletown Athletic Boosters, a locked and heated automated external defibrillator (AED) was installed late last week on the concession stand building at 259 Turner Road.
In addition, Narcan — the antidote for an opioid overdose — was placed inside the box for easy access in case of emergency.
To access the locked box, people are asked to call 911 and ask for the code to provide care while fire, police and other emergency responders are dispatched to the scene.
“We hope the AED cabinet never needs to get used, but it’s better that it’s there, just in case,” said Middletown Fire Battalion Chief Brian DeFreitas, who serves as the community’s EMS chief.
“I know we’re all appreciative to the Middletown Athletic Boosters for recognizing the need here and helping make this happen. The Town Council also went out of its way to support this effort, no questions asked. We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough because as everyone knows, minutes count in an emergency.”
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues said it’s critical for the Town of Middletown to try to provide as many tools as possible to help.
“The field at Gaudet gets a lot of use all the time and you never know what might happen,” Rodrigues said. “When the Athletic Boosters approached the council about this, I think I can speak for all of us and say it just made sense and we’re proud to be part of this effort.”
AEDs are located in all town buildings and other high traffic areas where they might be needed, including the council chambers in Town Hall. Many town staff also go through training about the proper use of such equipment.
John Ceglarski and Jay Bogosian of the Middletown Athletic Boosters initially recognized the need for an available AED at the sports complex.
DeFreitas said AEDs are instrumental to assisting those who’ve gone into cardiac arrest and are the only real proven therapy for cardiac dysrhythmias.
Ceglarski and Bogosian also spearheaded a large CPR/AED class last spring, raising funds for over 40 people to attend a lifesaving course.
After substantial research, Ceglarski and Bogosian reached out to Middletown Fire and Chief James Peplau and DeFreitas were able to provide a new Zoll AED 3.
Ceglarski and Bogosian also spoke to the council during a regular meeting, requesting money to purchase and install the AED cabinet.
The council unanimously approved the funds to purchase the cabinet, which was installed Friday, March 1 with assistance of School Facilities Director Poe George.
“I know it helps me feel a little bit safer today, knowing that the AED box is there,” DeFreitas said. “Hats off to the Middletown Athletic Boosters and the Town Council for helping this become a reality.”
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/11732/NYCU-AED