Life Saving Equipment installed through North Van Chamber Partnership
On June 28th 2023, the North Vancouver Chamber was proud to host our official launch of the first publicly accessible AED (automated external defibrillator) on the North Shore. Thanks to all who went into making this happen. We look forward to seeing many of these life saving devices deployed around our community.
NORTH SHORE NEWS: North Vancouver gets first streetside defibrillator
PRESS RELEASE:
North Vancouver, B.C. – June 28, 2023 – St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon and the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce join forces to install a life-saving, publicly accessible AED (automated external defibrillator) stand, located at West 1st Street in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale Shipyards neighbourhood.
Most cardiac arrests happen away from a hospital. The community defibrillator stand was placed by North Vancouver Chamber with the help of the St. John Ambulance Start Me Up BC program, which aims to fill the gap when it comes to public access to AEDs and first aid supplies. The program sets out to place its AED stands in high-traffic areas such as shopping centres, business parks, transit hubs, tourist spots and more. Each stand comes with an AED and a first aid kit for bystanders to use when someone is suffering from a sudden cardiac arrest.
“35,000 or more cardiac arrests happen in Canada every year and given how quickly one can turn fatal, every minute is vital. This is why we are committed to working with local partners like the North Vancouver Chamber to deploy AEDS in public spaces.” said Ty Speer, CEO for St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon. “We believe that it’s crucial for everyday citizens to be equipped with ready access to the life-saving equipment that can significantly increase the chances of recovery and survival. Bystander CPR+AED saves lives.”
Patrick Stafford-Smith, CEO of the North Vancouver Chamber agrees with Speer. “At the North Vancouver Chamber, we are committed to the role of business as part of a healthy community. This is why we jumped at the opportunity to partner to install this AED. We hope this will be a catalyst for further investment to ensure safe public spaces, and the well-being and peace of mind for all people in North Vancouver.” said Stafford-Smith.
To date, the Start Me Up BC program has placed 41 AED stands throughout BC communities.
To learn more about Start Me Up BC, visit startmeupbc.ca
For more information please contact:
Kelly McNeill-Sproxton Patrick Stafford-Smith
Director, Marketing & Communications CEO, North Vancouver Chamber
St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon patrick@nvchamber.ca
Kelly.McNeill-Sproxton@sja.ca
About St. John Ambulance: St. John Ambulance and its parent organization The Order of St. John are international, humanitarian organizations with shared roots tracing back over 900 years. In B.C. the charity has operated since 1911 with a mission to improve people’s health, safety, and quality of life, training over 65,000 students and volunteers in B.C. and the Yukon each year in first aid and CPR. Its volunteers also provide hundreds of thousands of hours through the charity’s Medical First Responder, Therapy Dog, and Youth programs. St. John Ambulance is B.C. and Yukon’s safety partner, offering an array of first aid courses and safety products. All proceeds from training and product sales fund the charity’s community services, in addition to generous support from donors. Learn more at sja.ca
About North Vancouver Chamber: The North Vancouver Chamber supports a strong and diverse local business community. We make business ownership easier by offering services and benefits to help members grow their business, develop strong networks and have their voices heard to help build a strong and resilient community. The North Vancouver Chamber membership represents businesses from 12 major sectors with more than 24,000 employees, with 94 per cent of members being small businesses. Learn more at www.nvchamber.ca
