MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

by Duke Dunlop

The Stratford Citizen


Two years and two weeks ago a meeting took place in Beatrice Jordan’s office at the Kiwanis Centre. A Rotarian asked the Deputy Director of Community Services about Automated External Defibrillators (A.E.D.s). Her response was that she wanted them for the recreation facilities. However, there was never any room in the budget for the purchase of the units.

The Rotarian belonged to an organization of 23 people who met every Tuesday morning at the Queens Inn for breakfast, fellowship and to share ideas on helping communities locally and around the world. The Rotary Club of Festival City was looking for a signature project. Although they worked with other Rotary Clubs and were part of many larger undertakings with other charities, they wanted to tackle a project where there was a need not being addressed. Stratford appeared to be an island surrounded by a sea of communities with A.E.D.s already in place including St. Marys, Milverton and Listowel.

It became apparent that there were different stake holders who would be affected by the installation and future use of the A.E.D.s. The Rotarians had entered an unfamiliar world.
Community Services lead by Beatrice Jordan wanted the units but at the same time, the Human Resources Department was very concerned about possible liability with the misuse of the machines. Lottery license staff at City Hall also hoisted a red flag up the pole; they had authority on how the Rotary Club used the revenue they earned from working at the Bingos. They also were concerned with liability; what would happen if someone who was not a paramedic grabbed it and used it?

The idea of A.E.D.s with public access in Stratford was a new concept and the last thing City Hall needed was another law suit. Each City Department had their own jurisdiction and concerns to protect and serve the Citizens of Stratford, what the Rotarians needed was coordination between the departments. Background information on the success of defibrillators from across the province was compiled and sent out to the Mayor and the departments involved.
The Rotarians had things in place by the end of 2006. . Early in the following year a meeting was organized with the Mayor and Brad Hernden of the Community Services Department. Brad had taken over from Beatrice as she was fighting a terrible illness which claimed her life in March of that year. Mayor Dan Mathieson gave his full support for the project and soon after the Rotarians had approval to use their Bingo funds.

The province was also stepping up to the plate by installing A.E.D.s in their buildings and developing "Good Samaritan Legislation" which would eliminate the liability issue which many people feared. They were now providing funds with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A County wide committee was formed chaired by Linda Rockwood of Emergency Medical Services for the County of Perth to coordinate the purchase and locations of A.E.D.s.

The idea now is that everyone will have access to the A.E.D.s in the event of an emergency. Information sessions will be available for people interested in learning about what they do and how they work. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 26 at the Rotary Complex in Community Hall C.

The Rotary Club of Festival City was the leading service club providing a grant of $20,000 for the purchase of six units at various locations in the City of Stratford including the Kiwanis Centre, Rotary Complex, Lion’s Pool, Library, Municipal Golf Course and City Hall. Contributions from other organizations allowed for the installation of A.E.D.s in other venues including the Festival, and Avon Theatre. A total of 25 defibrillators are being installed across the County of Perth.

The Rotarian who met with Beatrice Jordan that day in February of 2006 has only one regret. "We would never have proceeded with the A.E.D. grant without her foresight and encouragement. I wish Beatrice could have seen the completion of this project."