LEWISTON – United Ambulance Service has donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Lewiston Parks and Recreation Department.

The new AED, a Medtronic LIFEPAK Express Defibrillator, is a state-of-the-art device that should be accessed quickly in the event of a cardiac arrest. The use of the device in conjunction with adequate CPR may assist in the resuscitation of an arrest victim.

The AED will be stored at the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center. The facility was chosen due to high visitor occupancy rates. Each day the building is utilized by various community-based groups for a variety of programs.

In addition, the Longley School and several other nonprofits occupy the building during the school year. In the evenings, the facility is also home to many athletic programs sponsored by the rec department.

The new AED will be stored with other first aid supplies in the building. The Multi-Purpose Center has a minimum of one city employee working at the center at all times when the facility is open to the public.

Over the past few weeks Recreation and Parks Department employees have been participating in the CPR training and certification process. The training was provided by United Ambulance Service and certifies each participant in American Heart Association CPR and AED usage.

“Many of the Rec Department employees are trained at this time, however, it is our hope to train additional city employees,” said Grace Gendron, United’s interim education coordinator.

For more information about United Ambulance Service, visit www.unitedambulance.com.