HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-034 - Automated External Defibrillators in City Facilities
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Community Services Committee
May 28, 2007
Prepared By:
Denise Keelan Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics
( ext 2706)
Denise Keelan Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics
( ext 2706)
All
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
May 20, 2007
CSD-07-034
Subject:
AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRillATORS IN CITY
FACiliTIES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign the agreement, subject to the satisfaction
of the City Solicitor, between the City of Kitchener and the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo Emergency Medical Services who will act as coordinator on behalf of the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of Ontario's Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program; the
agreement to facilitate the placement of Automated External Defibrillators in specified
City of Kitchener facilities.
BACKGROUND:
In Canada, 35,000 to 45,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest each year. The odds of
survival for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are approximately five percent. With each passing
minute, the probability of survival declines by seven to 1 0 percent, according to the Heart and
Stroke Foundation. In Ontario alone, approximately 6,500 cardiac arrests occur annually in out-
of-hospital settings.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a machine that analyses and looks for shock able
heart rhythms, advises a rescuer of the need for defibrillation and if needed, delivers that shock.
These are easy to use electronic devices that allow a layperson to deliver a potentially lifesaving
electrical shock to heart attack victims prior to arrival of emergency services. It is widely
accepted that cardiac arrest survival increases by 1 00/0 for every minute saved in defibrillator
application. Defibrillation can improve cardiac arrest survival rates by up to 50 percent if
delivered in the first few minutes.
Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) systems are favorable in design because they are based on
the accessibility of the machine to nearby public and staff in an emergency. An alarmed case
hosts the defibrillator and an audible sound alerts persons when the case is opened.
Report No: CSD-07-034
2
REPORT:
The Safe and Healthy Community Committee with the City of Kitchener requested CSD staff
investigate the feasibility of initiating a PAD program in the city facilities. Since the fall of 2006
an AED staff committee has explored other municipal programs, reviewed the criteria as set out
by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) and sought out funding sources to cover
the costs associated with this PAD program. The ultimate goal of the HSFO and the PAD
program is the integration of early defibrillation and to increase the members of our community
that are trained in CPR. The staff committee findings are as follows:
· Based on high risk user groups (sports & older adults), the volume of patron traffic in the
facility and the seasonal operation of the location, 14 sites were identified as priority for
2007. Plans for an additional 18 units will be implemented in 2008 to include the balance
of facilities.
· The facilities for 2007 are Kitchener Memorial Auditorium ( 2 units), Lions Arena, Don
McLaren arena, Grand River arena, Pat Doherty arena, Downtown Community Centre,
Rockway Senior Centre, Kitchener City Hall, Breithaupt Community Centre, Lyle
Hallman Pool, Forest Heights Pool, Kitchener Farmers Market, and a unit for the Special
Events Division (to be used during large public events i.e. Multicultural festival.) 2008 we
look to include AED's at golf courses, all community centres, outdoor pools and facilities
we jointly operate. ( Budd Park, Libraries and Gymnastics Judo training centre for
example)
· The HSFO has identified funding for arenas as a priority due to the increase in cardiac
arrests in a hockey setting.
· Each location will have an AED unit housed in an alarmed case. The case once opened
will alert City Hall security who will respond. Signage at each location will identify user
information and directions on contacting EMS. Emergency response protocol will be
developed at each site specific to the facility and in cooperation with EMS. Placement of
each defibrillator will accentuate visibility and accessibility of the unit.
· Each city location will have an assigned on site coordinator that is responsible for daily
checks of the machine and replacement or maintenance as necessary.
· The cities of Guelph, Mississauga and London Ontario are only a few of our neighboring
municipalities that have implemented a successful PAD program.
· Currently Bill 71 is in its second reading. Once passed this legislation will eliminate any
potential liability specific to AED use.
Discussions with the HSFO and city staff in March 2007 confirmed a verbal commitment to
assist with the funding of these defibrillators in key City of Kitchener facilities. In late March, a
generous donation from the Ontario government of 3 million dollars was made to HSFO to place
AED's in Ontario facilities; the HSFO have since shifted their proposal to cover the entire region
of Waterloo.
John Prno, Regional Director of EMS has agreed to act as coordinator of this PAD program and
work with each municipality that is prepared to commit. An agreement is currently being
developed between the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Emergency Medical Services and the
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. The agreement recognizes that the Region requires
upward to 20 units based upon our population and geographic size. The City of Kitchener has a
requested a minimum of 10 funded units to be assigned from the 20 offered to the Region. .
Report No: CSD-07-034
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Anticipating the success of this agreement, Kitchener has plans for the installation of AED units
in specified locations for July and into the fall of 2007. Training and public awareness will be in
place prior to each unit's installation. The key components of an agreement between the City of
Kitchener and the Region are as follows:
1. The Parties in the agreement will work collaboratively to announce this project to the
media and all public communications are a joint initiative.
2. The agreement will be renewable on a yearly basis, based on the HSFO funding
capacity.
3. The AED units funded by the HSFO through the EMS are to be placed in locations
mutually agreed upon by all parties. Our current list for 2007 has been accepted.
4. HSFO through the Region will be responsible for funding each unit up to a maximum of
$4,500 per unit; this allows for $1 ,000 in training costs.
5. Training materials, logo and display materials will be provided by the HSFO.
6. EMS staff will coordinate and administer the training of user groups and city staff. City of
Kitchener Aquatic staff will train our lifeguards and staff during regular in service training.
Staff supports this agreement and has worked with partners to assist in the funding and training.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding for 1 0 of the units from the Heart and Stroke Foundation is expected based on the
success of the anticipated agreement.
To cover the cost of the additional 4 units, staff proposes to merge funds together across all the
facilities sourced from divisional general provisions budgets currently in the 2007 capitol budget.
As well, additional funding sources have been identified in discussions with community groups
who are excited to see this initiative materialize. For example, the Old Timers Hockey league
and the Breithaupt Seniors Advisory Council have existing funds on hand to support this project
and are prepared to commit up to $1 ,000 each. Approximate cost for the AED unit itself is
$2,543 while the alarmed case is priced at $500. Units have a five year warranty. Based on bulk
purchasing the units may be less than this price.
$9,000 is currently in existing 2007 operating budgets to assist in training costs to ensure staff
and user groups are fully trained. $1 0,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation commitment
will cover the costs for 60 staff and volunteers to be fully trained in 2007. Other training options
are being explored such as mass training opportunities at existing public events in cooperation
with the region.
In the event the Regional Municipality receives additional funding for this current year the City of
Kitchener will be in queue to receive additional funded units.
CONCLUSION:
Staff strongly supports this initiative and partnership with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo
EMS. Corporate Communications, Facilities Management, Legal Services and Risk
Management were consulted in the process of this initiative. This exciting initiative has the
potential to dramatically improve survival rates for heart attack victims in our community. Staff
suggests a report back to CSC in November to provide an update on the success of this
initiative.
Denise Keelan
Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics