Nearly 55 City of Grande Prairie employees can assist individuals experiencing cardiac arrest using the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Three training sessions were conducted over the past three weeks at various locations to provide employees with skills in the use of the device as well as Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The most recent session was held today at Centre 2000.

Twelve City facilities are equipped with these units.

“This initiative confirms the City’s commitment to providing a safe work environment for its employees as well as safe community facilities for citizens and visitors,” says Bill Walker, Director of Protective Services. “By having staff training to provide early CPR coupled with access to an AED will save lives. We are dedicated to ensuring all new municipal facilities are equipped as well.”

The training is in partnership with Peace Country Health EMS’s Operation Heart Safe Program. Its goal is to equip, empower and educate the public in how to recognize and respond to cardiac emergencies.

“It’s one of those things that you don’t expect to use, but the training has provided me with the skill and confidence that I can help someone in distress,” says participant Ken Anderson, the City’s Corporate Services Director.  “CPR and the use of an AED are simple to learn and can mean the difference between life and death for an individual.  I encourage everyone to learn the simple skills.  You never know, it could be one of your family members that you save.”

Training to update employees will continue on an as-needed basis.