Stockbridge Township Board follows the beat of their hearts, literally

by Terry Sommer and Patrice Johnson

Selfless acts come in many flavors, but it’s fair to say they seldom involve automatic external defibrillators. In February, the Stockbridge Township Board purchased two new AEDs at a cost of $2,800 for the benefit of the local community. On Feb. 2, township officials and employees gathered with volunteer fire and ambulance personnel for a training session on how to use the new computerized machines to diagnose and intercede to stop impending heart attacks.

Thanks to the class, taught compliments of paramedic Ron Hodder at the SAESA facilities at 1009 S. Clinton Street at the intersection Michigan-52 in Stockbridge, eight more local residents are prepared to operate the life-saving medical devices, should an emergency arise.

“Hopefully, you’ll never need to use this machine,” Hodder told his attentive class. “But if you do, time is of the essence.” Attendees included Betty Wetherell, Ed Wetherell, Irene Wagar, James Wireman, Samantha Sanchez, Jill Ogden, Terry Sommer, Douglas Sommer and Mandy Urquhart.

AEDs, as they are called, analyze heartbeats using electrode pads applied to the patient’s chest. Once the computerized machine identifies that the patient is suffering from ventricular fibrillation, or uncoordinated heart rhythms, it emits a jolt of electricity. This stops the arrhythmia and allows the heart to re-establish a normal rhythm—a vital function, considering that the condition is most often responsible for sudden cardiac arrest.

“We at SAESA would like to thank the Stockbridge Township leadership for their act of kindness,” said John Beck, SAESA’s general manager. “The purchase of these lifesaving devices and placement throughout the community, plus the pursuit of education, shows true caring and compassion for the residents of our community.”

The new AEDs will be placed in the Stockbridge Township Hall. At a meeting Monday, Feb. 15, volunteers will discuss donating SAESA’s used AEDs to other locations.

“Heart attacks,” Hodder explained. “You can use these machines to stop heart attacks in their tracks. You can save a life.”

Feb. 2, Ron Hodder, SAESA paramedic, shows Betty Wetherell, Ed Wetherell, Irene Wagar, James Wireman, Samantha Sanchez, Jill Ogden, Terry Sommer, Douglas Sommer and Mandy Urquhart (not pictured) how to use the Stockbridge Township’s newly purchased automatic external defibrillators, AEDs, to reset a patient’s heart rhythm and avoid a potentially fatal heart attack. Photo credit: Mandy Urquhart