WESTWOOD—Hackensack Meridian Health Pascack Valley Medical Center has donated four AEDs (automated external defibrillators) to the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department. The AEDs will be used to help keep community members safe in the event of cardiac arrest.
AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. PVMC describes them as “a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.”
It is estimated that about 1,700 lives are saved in the United States per year by bystanders using an AED.
Mayor Ray Arroyo was on hand Tuesday, May 25 at the firehouse, 93 Center Ave., to receive the donation, which was presented by Emily Holliman, chief executive officer of Pascack Valley Medical Center.
Arroyo said, “This donation was made possible by the strong relationship the borough has forged with the hospital as a critical area resource, thanks in part to the role of Councilwoman Cheryl Hodges as liaison to the medical center.”
He said the donation was first considered in February, when Councilman Rob Bicocchi, who is a PVMC trustee, met with him and Holliman to introduce Councilwoman Cheryl Hodges as council liaison to the medical center.
“At that meeting, Emily committed to set aside vaccination days for Westwood residents. She also agreed to the donation of these lifesaving defibrillators, much needed equipment for the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department to deploy on its rigs,” Arroyo said.
He added, “Westwood is truly blessed to host this preeminent health care institution. The pandemic underscored just how blessed. And we are truly grateful for such caring and generous partners.”
Also attending: Councilwoman Jodi Murphy, who is Borough Council liaison for fire and ambulance.
PVMC, formerly Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley, is a full-service boutique hospital on Old Hook Road at the site of the former Pascack Valley Hospital.