Saving lives
Copper Shores gives AEDs to community organizations
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HANCOCK -- Copper Shores Community Health Foundation recently distributed 20 automated external defibrillators (AED) to 10 organizations and municipalities in Houghton, Baraga and Keweenaw Counties.
Copper Shores President and CEO Kevin Store said the foundation bulk ordered the devices and saved 35%, as opposed to buying them per-request. "We have a number of organizations that have approached us for this level of support," he said. "Rather than going through a long, drawn-out granting process, we were able to bulk purchase from the manufacturer and get them out to the organizations that are serving their community."
Organizations receiving at least one device were; Arvon Township Schools, Aura Fire Department, Baraga Fire Department, Bay Ambulance, Calumet Theatre, Copper Harbor Downtown Development Authority Copper Harbor Trails Club, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, Keweenaw County Sheriff's Office, L'Anse Fire and L'Anse Police Department. Bay Ambulance received the most with six AEDs received.
According to Store, Grants Manager Mary Jo Munch handled all of the requests and pooled them, allocating funding to bulk purchase 30 AEDs. Store added Copper Shores's mission was to make sure AEDs were used properly in placed which needed them.
"It really comes back to making sure that these are accessible within the community," he said. "Especially in places where there might be at risk populations that congregate, to make sure that they're available in publicly accessible buildings or locations."
According to the AED Professionals website, the devices can range anywhere between low-grade ones for $1400, as well as high-end professional-use ones for $3,700. Store said financial and location accessibility was a top priority when handing the AEDs out. "We're trying to support their efforts to provide that care," he said. "The cost associated with them often is a barrier."
According to the press release, Copper Shores ordered 30 AEDs total, meaning 10 AEDs are still available. Interested organizations or municipalities can contact Munch at mmunch@coppershores.org or 906-523-5920 ext. 2003.
As for Copper Shores's future plans, Store said he is already getting requests from community partners and could possibly do another bulk order if needed.
"We'll see what the demand looks like."