Fire Dept. Delivers Latest Defibrillator,​ This One To Hagaman Library

EAST HAVEN, CT —The Hagaman Memorial Library is the latest location in town to get a defibrillator, known as an AED, donated by the East Haven Fire Department for public use.

The fire department received a federal grant to purchase Lifepak 35 monitor/defibrillators to increase the number of AED’s on fire rescue vehicles. The older AED units were shelved, Fire Chief Matt Marcarelli said. "Some were obsolete, but others were ok to distribute throughout the community."

The AED’s are now housed at the New Haven Irish American Club, the Italian American Society, and American Legion Hall, Marcarelli said. The library is the last town-owned building to be outfitted with a defibrillator, all others have them, including the schools. The other locations were chosen because they have gathering places where large numbers of people may gather.

"The defibrillators are designed for everyday folks' use," he said, noting they provide "voice prompts" for the user.

"Early defibrillation has been identified as resulting in an increased survival rate in sudden cardiac arrest," Marcrelli said.

This week, Deputy Chief Training Officer, Brian Arms and firedog Riggs, delivered an AED to the Library. Librarian Sarah Mallory coordinated AED training for her staff with the fire department.

So far public use defibrillators are available at all schools, Town Hall, the DiLungo Ice Rink, Senior Center and Beach House.