East Dundee installs its first 24/7 public access AED station at historic Depot
Life-saving AED available to the public for use during heart emergencies
On Saturday, May 9, the East Dundee & Countryside Fire Protection District is hosting a dedication of the village’s first SaveStation, a 24/7 publicly accessible automated external defibrillator designed to support rapid response during a cardiac emergency.
Installed on the exterior of the East Dundee Depot, this lifesaving unit was made possible through a collaboration between the village of East Dundee, Andrew’s Assist, and Lauderdale Electric.
A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony celebrating this important addition to community safety will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Depot, 319 N. River St. in downtown East Dundee. There will be CPR/AED demonstration and practice,
About Sudden Cardiac Arrest & AED Intervention:
• Bystanders save lives using AEDs/defibrillators for cardiac arrest. Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) occur in public settings (18.8%) or homes/residences (69.5%).
• Survival increases significantly when a bystander provides CPR and uses an AED before emergency responders arrive.
• Delivering a shock quickly can restore a normal heart rhythm. Each year, more than 18,000 Americans experience a shockable cardiac arrest in public with witnesses present.
• Currently about 9 in 10 people who have cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. But CPR can improve those odds. If it is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR can double or triple a person’s chance for survival.
About the SaveStation Unit
SaveStation was created to ensure AEDs are accessible anytime, anywhere. The weather-resistant, climate-controlled cabinet can house any AED brand and provides immediate public access. When opened, the alarmed and monitored unit alerts others that help is needed and offers clear, step-by-step instructions. Electrical installation for this SaveStation was generously donated by Lauderdale Electric.
About the AED housed in the SaveStation Unit
This SaveStation contains a Zoll AED 3, a portable, battery-operated device designed for use by bystanders. It analyzes heart rhythm and delivers a shock if needed to restore a normal rhythm.
This model includes pediatric rescue mode and real-time CPR feedback to support high-quality compressions. The AED was generously donated by Andrew’s Assist. Public awareness, confidence, and access are essential, knowing how to locate and use an AED empowers bystanders to take lifesaving action during sudden cardiac arrest.