By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
At a recent Rotary Club of Harrow meeting, a representative of Essex- Windsor EMS (EWEMS) spoke of the importance of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and how downtown Harrow did have a publicly accessible unit.
Club Past President, Ray Fischer, drove home that night, unable to stop thinking about how Harrow needed an AED in an outdoor cabinet, ready to assist anyone experiencing a cardiac arrest.
As a community volunteer familiar with fundraising, he took the idea to Harrow Rotary President, Dave Robertson, who agreed that perhaps this was a project they could undertake.
On the afternoon of Friday, June 19, members of the Rotary Club of Harrow invited its partners out to the Harrow Rotary Hut to dedicate a heated, weatherproof AED unit to the downtown Harrow area. While the exact location for the potentially lifesaving device is unknown as of yet, first responders are coordinating to determine the best spot.
The funds used to purchase the AED were raised through the Rotary Club of Harrow’s Greg Horoky’s Colchester Walleye Derby. This year’s event was held less than a week before the donation of the AED unit and had a fantastic turnout. Rotarians used the proceeds earned through sponsorships, entry fees, and other revenue streams to purchase the AED unit. 50/50 raffle proceeds benefited Erie Shores Hospice in Horoky’s memory, who passed away last year, and Feeding Windsor-Essex.
Fischer said it was an honour to gather with Greg Horoky’s Colchester Walleye Derby supporters and sponsors, members of the Rotary Club of Harrow, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy, Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley, Essex Fire Chief Jason Pillon, Essex Manager of Parks and Facilities Rodney Klies, along with representatives of the OPP and Essex- Windsor EMS. Also in attendance were current Governor of District 6400, Linda Morrow, and incoming Governor Kim Spirou.
He thanked the Greg Horoky’s Colchester Walleye Derby supporters for their continued support, in what he said has become one of the most meaningful and successful community events in the region.
“The Derby is about more than fishing; it’s about community. It’s about bringing people together – just like this, but on a broader basis – and it’s supporting local businesses in our community. That only happens because of you, our sponsors,” he said.
All sponsors are greatly appreciated. So are all of the Rotarians who volunteer to host the derby every year, which requires lots of planning ahead of time.
Paramedic Dave Thibodeau of EWEMS made that presentation to the Rotary Club of Harrow, as he has done for many other organizations to enhance awareness of the importance of AEDs. In fact, since late 2024, he has made around 300 of those presentations throughout Windsor, Essex County, and Pelee Island to around 2600 people.
If someone is having a cardiac arrest, Thibodeau said, seconds count. If the defibrillator and CPR is started within 60-seconds, the survival rate is 90%. That decreases by 10% every minute it is not administered.
EMS’s target is to reach cardiac arrests within eight-minutes. So, AEDs help administer that help when time is of the essence.
EWEMS wants there to be public AEDs available for use, and they want people to know where they are located. That is why EWEMS is mapping those locations. So far, around 1400 units have been registered in the mapping system.
When calling 911 for a cardiac arrest, the dispatcher may be able to tell the caller where a publicly accessible AED is located, if they are close enough to grab it.
He noted EWEMS also loans out AEDs for large events. Those interested are urged to reach out to learn more. If the individual renting it is current with its CPR, they can take it to use at the event for free. If they do not, all they have to do is provide EWEMS with a little bit of their time to take part in a quick education session.
“It’s a big deal for us,” Thibodeau said, adding he felt rewarded to be at the AED presentation as the individual who sparked the Rotary Club of Harrow to take action.
Thibodeau noted there could be up to seven AEDs in the Harrow/Colchester area with this addition, with some plans still pending, including at the Colchester Harbour and one to be installed this week at St. Andrew’s Church.
While AEDs are getting installed in the southern end of the Town of Essex. Thibodeau said there are none currently in downtown Essex. Any organizations, businesses, or groups that may want to partner in making that a reality are urged to email defib@countyofessex.ca to connect and learn more.