NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MA- North Attleborough community members celebrated the installation of publicly accessible automated external defibrillator (AED) devices donated to the Town by Sisters@Heart during a ribbon-cutting ceremony over the weekend.

On Sunday, April 28, Sisters@Heart, a local non-profit organization founded and directed by North Attleborough residents Lisa Deck, Jamie McHoul-O’Hanlon and Caitlan Kane, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Town Manager Michael Borg, Town Council Vice President John Simmons, Fire Chief Christopher Coleman, Sen. Paul Feeney and Rep. Adam Scanlon at Veterans Park.

“North Attleborough just became a leader in the Commonwealth with the installation of publicly accessible AEDs,” Sisters@Heart Co-Founder and Director Jamie O’Hanlon said. “It is our great privilege to be able to serve the community and we hope it brings peace of mind to residents knowing they have the proper tools to save lives in case of emergencies.”

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officials spoke about the importance of having AEDs in the community that are readily available to the general public in the event of an emergency. Chief Coleman cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stating that more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are reported annually in the United States and that 70% to 90% of people who’ve experienced cardiac arrests outside of a hospital die before ever reaching the hospital. However, the use of an AED within minutes of cardiac arrest can drastically increase the rate of survival when available.

The five AED devices donated to the Town have been placed in areas where cardiac arrests are likely to occur, including at Veterans Park, the High Street Fields, Mason Field, the Beaupre Field Concession Stand and Community Field. Each device is housed in a weather-proof, heated and lighted cabinet that can be accessed by the public in the event of an emergency. To access the devices, community members must first call 911 to receive an access code to open the locked cabinet. Once opened, the cabinet will include the device and directions for people to follow while waiting for first responders to arrive.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees enjoyed a complimentary reception featuring food from Habibi’s Middle Eastern Kitchen and complimentary drinks from Angle Tree Brewery and Gasparos Providence. Music was performed by Jacob Calamar and Julia Carson and Derek Hindle gave a CPR/AED demonstration.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sisters@Heart for their unwavering support and commitment to our Town,” Town Manager Borg said. “Their dedication to heart health and proactive approach to community partnership have been instrumental in making this project a reality. By working together, we can implement practical solutions to enhance public safety, improve health outcomes, and build stronger, more resilient communities.”

Earlier this year, the Town of North Attleborough committed $25,000 in funds to Sisters@Heart to address the funding shortfall caused by Gov. Maura Healey’s recent 9C cuts to ensure the completion of this critical health project. Prior to the 9c cuts, Sen. Feeney and Rep. Scanlon advocated for $50,000 to be allocated to Sisters@Heart for the procurement of the publicly accessible automatic external defibrillators.

"It is an honor to support the Town of North Attleborough in their work to install publicly accessible AEDs to ensure the community is best prepared in the event of a medical emergency. This project, spearheaded by Sisters@Heart, will not only save lives in North Attleborough but also help spread awareness about the prevalence and impact of heart disease and stroke in our communities. I am proud to have supported this initiative by securing funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget for the purchase, installation and maintenance of AEDs in town, and I look forward to continuing working with the Town of North Attleborough and organizations like Sisters@Heart to continue this impactful work throughout the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Feeney.

Added Rep. Scanlon, “North Attleborough will always be first in its commitment to public health due to the leadership and passion of organizations like Sisters@Heart. Our Commonwealth's budget is a moral reflection of our values, and I am proud to support initiatives like this that will assist in preserving public health through a strong partnership with lifesavers like Sisters@Heart.”

About Sisters@Heart

Sisters@Heart's mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by heart and stroke. We are committed to directly assisting families affected by heart disease and stroke by providing monetary grants or specific medical assistance. We continue to fund research projects at various hospitals and medical facilities. We provide student scholarships and support our local and regional community including our latest initiative, public access AEDs in the Commonwealth. Learn more about their initiative and organization at www.sistersatheart.org.

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