City expanding AEDs at major parks and facilities

New defibrillators have been installed at Canatara Park, Germain Park, Centennial Park, and other key locations in Sarnia to improve emergency response in high-traffic recreation areas.

In an effort to ensure important, life-saving technology is  available in the case of emergencies, the City is expanding the locations that  Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) are available within its parks and  facilities. 

New AEDs were installed late last week at several locations, alongside  replacements at facilities where they already exist. New AED locations include  two at Germain Park, one at Lottie Neely Park, one at Clearwater Park, one at  the Centennial Park agora, two at Canatara Park, one at the Children’s Animal  Farm, one at Kenwick Park, and one at Mike Weir Park.  

The AEDs were also replaced at Progressive Auto Sales, Pat Stapleton and  Clearwater Arenas. 

“In the past AEDs have made a crucial difference in the outcomes of medical  crisis. Ensuring that the resource is available in an easy-to-use format is an  important aspect of our efforts to provide safe spaces to participate in sport and  recreation in our community,” said Facility Manager Tom Burnard. 

The AEDs feature easy to understand audio and visual instructions, providing  step-by-step guidance as they are in use. Locations were chosen based on  proximity to sports fields and amenities; specifically targeting the City’s highest  traffic parks. The units are located in bathrooms and outdoor cabinets where  they can be protected from damage. Prominent wayfinding signage will be  posted to indicate their locations. 

The City will continue to review the program, and if feasible, expand locations in  future years.