By Peter Barhydt
The Town of Greenwich has received a donation from Feinsod Hardware of Old Greenwich for the installation of a Defibrillator at Binney Park in Old Greenwich. This project was started three years ago with Greenwich EMS to provide true 24/7Public Access AEDs to the Town of Greenwich is a continued mission to maintain Greenwich as a premier HeartSafe Community.
When Phil Brous first started raising money for this project, he contacted Jay Feinsod about the defibrillator and requested some help funding the project, Jay replied, “absolutely yes!” After talking with his wife Esta, Jay and Esta decided to fund the entire project at Binney Park.
The funding was in place, and now onto the next step. Greenwich EMS ordered the defibrillator and all-weather case. Not so easy as one might think, everything was delayed with shipping issues. Finally, the unit arrived, and in great concert with the Town of Greenwich BC&M division, we were able to complete the installation in time for the recent holidays!
This installation marks the 5th unit installed in the town, funded entirely by private donations. The project continues and hopes to eventually have approximately 16 installed at our Parks and Marine facilities.
Tods Point currently has three AED units installed, one on the first concession, one on the main concession, and one on the back bathroom facing NYC between the two parking lots. There’s also an AED installed next to the field at the Cos Cob Park on the Bathroom Building. Byram Shore is about to get the next two defibrillators installed.
We already have a defibrillator used at Tods Point, so we know the need is real. With our population in town getting older, there’s even a greater call for these AEDs to be near where people might be.
It is not just adults who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest children are also a risk that most of us would never think of. This Public Access AED program will add a layer of safety to our HeartSafe Community. “These AEDs are very easy to use, and they are designed to be used by a child if needed,” says Tracy Schietinger of Greenwich EMS.
