Comments on: AEDs needed at park district facilities http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/ Advancing park and recreation professionals who advance the communities they serve. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:17:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Gloria Trevino http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-49777 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:30:28 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-49777 If we were to put a price tag to a loss of life, or any law suit because there had not been a proper attention - well than I guess that these steps are pretty reasonable, also there are grants up for grabs. If we think about it, and one of our loves ones were to ever be in need of one of this devices - (which by the way increase the chances of survival), well than I would want them to live a bit longer too. what we need is to make sure that we all contact our local American Red Cross, get inform as they can provide the devices, trainings (if volunteers are to be train, they constantly train troop leaders,these trainings will be as community outreach, and are free), contact your local American Red Cross of Greater Chicago covers 7 counties and has the Americorps program. (you may only need to pay for the training materials - if the students want to keep them). If you need to train your staff; then there will a cost for the training. They even have the trainings in Spanish, Braille if requested, and all their training DVDs' are closed caption. So before we all put this mandate down, think of the benefits, as part of a family member trained, as part of your organization, and as part of the community as a whole. Every minute that is delayed between the CPR and the much needed SHOCK or De-fibrillation from the AED device - the chances of survival are decreased by 10%. And there is no longer age limited since studies had shown that anybody from12 and up can go into a cardiac arrest. So even if you would have to be train, and have to pay for your training. it is worthed. Work with the parents to help you, help their children's programs, and invite them to be part of the prevention and life saving skills training, yes I know that volunteers are few and far in between but - the training is free (for volunteers), by getting them train they will be able to keep America Save and Healthy. Where do you keep the AED? in a car a minute away? - OK 2 minutes; remember that the brain starts to die without CPR after 6 minutes, so we do CPR until the AED get there. As someone had said before us "IF THERE IS A WILL - THERE WILL BE A WAY"..... BE SAFE, BE HEALTHY..... HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. From a Happy - Red Cross CPR surviver. There you got me! there is my motive. If we were to put a price tag to a loss of life, or any law suit because there had not been a proper attention - well than I guess that these steps are pretty reasonable, also there are grants up for grabs. If we think about it, and one of our loves ones were to ever be in need of one of this devices - (which by the way increase the chances of survival), well than I would want them to live a bit longer too. what we need is to make sure that we all contact our local American Red Cross, get inform as they can provide the devices, trainings (if volunteers are to be train, they constantly train troop leaders,these trainings will be as community outreach, and are free), contact your local American Red Cross of Greater Chicago covers 7 counties and has the Americorps program. (you may only need to pay for the training materials - if the students want to keep them). If you need to train your staff; then there will a cost for the training. They even have the trainings in Spanish, Braille if requested, and all their training DVDs’ are closed caption.

So before we all put this mandate down, think of the benefits, as part of a family member trained, as part of your organization, and as part of the community as a whole. Every minute that is delayed between the CPR and the much needed SHOCK or De-fibrillation from the AED device - the chances of survival are decreased by 10%. And there is no longer age limited since studies had shown that anybody from12 and up can go into a cardiac arrest.
So even if you would have to be train, and have to pay for your training. it is worthed.

Work with the parents to help you, help their children’s programs, and invite them to be part of the prevention and life saving skills training, yes I know that volunteers are few and far in between but - the training is free (for volunteers), by getting them train they will be able to keep America Save and Healthy. Where do you keep the AED? in a car a minute away? - OK 2 minutes; remember that the brain starts to die without CPR after 6 minutes, so we do CPR until the AED get there.
As someone had said before us “IF THERE IS A WILL - THERE WILL BE A WAY”…..

BE SAFE, BE HEALTHY….. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
From a Happy - Red Cross CPR surviver. There you got me! there is my motive.

]]> by: Bill Wald http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-47010 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:58:36 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-47010 Thanks to Peter for clarifying the press release from the Governors Office that appeared in Chicago newspapers and on the governmental site. This press release was sent to the media outlets in the Chicago area and to the IPRA office. You may view the press release by <a target="_blank" title="HB1279 Press Release" href="http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=6500" rel="nofollow">clicking here</a>. We appreciate the assistance of IAPD and Peter in clarifying this issue. Thanks to Peter for clarifying the press release from the Governors Office that appeared in Chicago newspapers and on the governmental site. This press release was sent to the media outlets in the Chicago area and to the IPRA office.

You may view the press release by clicking here.

We appreciate the assistance of IAPD and Peter in clarifying this issue.

]]> by: Peter Murphy http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-47008 Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:11:01 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-47008 The IPRA Blog Spot reported on House Bill 1279 incorrectly. At this time the Governor’s proposed amendatory veto will put park districts into the same position regarding AED usage as they were prior to the passage of House Bill 1279. However, it is likely that further attempts will be made to expand the use of AED’s to outdoor facilities owned and operated by the IAPD membership. I recommend that you go to the Illinois General Assembly web page at www.ilga.gov, input House Bill 1279, click on the Governor's amendatory veto message, and read the words of the Governor’s amendatory veto in conjunction with the text of the bill to determine its impact on your agency. Also, please feel free to contact me at 217/523-4554 with any questions you may have with regard to this or any other matter. The IPRA Blog Spot reported on House Bill 1279 incorrectly. At this time the Governor’s proposed amendatory veto will put park districts into the same position regarding AED usage as they were prior to the passage of House Bill 1279. However, it is likely that further attempts will be made to expand the use of AED’s to outdoor facilities owned and operated by the IAPD membership.

I recommend that you go to the Illinois General Assembly web page at www.ilga.gov, input House Bill 1279, click on the Governor’s amendatory veto message, and read the words of the Governor’s amendatory veto in conjunction with the text of the bill to determine its impact on your agency.

Also, please feel free to contact me at 217/523-4554 with any questions you may have with regard to this or any other matter.

]]> by: Mike Adams http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46831 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:35:26 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46831 I offer the following concern in addition to those concerns and issues already presented. It is apparent that the associated costs of implementing this unfunded mandate will impact program fees, especially to ensure that a trained AED user is present during all activities, most of which are youth activities. However, In order to continue to keep programs affordable, one logical yet unpreferred course of action would be to train our volunteers. Many of us know how difficult it is to attract quality volunteers these days. Yet, we continually add more and more responsibilities on to them to keep program fees affordable. My concern is that this will only further discourage well intentioned individuals from volunteering, consequently resulting in increased fees and decreased participation. One of our goals should be to encourage participation in programs to promote healthy lifestyles to prevent life impacting diseases that may require the eventual use of these life savings devices, not decrease. I agree with the effectiveness of AED's, but respectfully disagree with use in every outdoor park and recreation field where the potential use would be statistically negligent. I offer the following concern in addition to those concerns and issues already presented. It is apparent that the associated costs of implementing this unfunded mandate will impact program fees, especially to ensure that a trained AED user is present during all activities, most of which are youth activities. However, In order to continue to keep programs affordable, one logical yet unpreferred course of action would be to train our volunteers. Many of us know how difficult it is to attract quality volunteers these days. Yet, we continually add more and more responsibilities on to them to keep program fees affordable. My concern is that this will only further discourage well intentioned individuals from volunteering, consequently resulting in increased fees and decreased participation. One of our goals should be to encourage participation in programs to promote healthy lifestyles to prevent life impacting diseases that may require the eventual use of these life savings devices, not decrease. I agree with the effectiveness of AED’s, but respectfully disagree with use in every outdoor park and recreation field where the potential use would be statistically negligent.

]]> by: Rachel http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46828 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:57:40 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46828 The intent behind this bill is noble. However, clarification on where these items are to be stored so they are readily available for those that need them, yet free from destruction should follow. Accordingly, where is the funding for these costly devices expected to be levied and more urgently so that question applies to government organizations that are tax exempt? It is understandable that the majority of sports interaction occurs on park district and school district property, but will these organizations with fixed budgets be expected to generate their own revenues for AED’s and their designated holding areas? There is no dispute that the goal of the bill is honorable. However, subsections to the bill that outline a plan for government funded organizations would be accommodating and supportive in implementing this new policy. The intent behind this bill is noble. However, clarification on where these items are to be stored so they are readily available for those that need them, yet free from destruction should follow. Accordingly, where is the funding for these costly devices expected to be levied and more urgently so that question applies to government organizations that are tax exempt? It is understandable that the majority of sports interaction occurs on park district and school district property, but will these organizations with fixed budgets be expected to generate their own revenues for AED’s and their designated holding areas? There is no dispute that the goal of the bill is honorable. However, subsections to the bill that outline a plan for government funded organizations would be accommodating and supportive in implementing this new policy.

]]> by: Margaret Resnick http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46826 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:31:31 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46826 What is the definition of "outdoor physical fitness facility"? Does IPRA or IAPD plan on offering workshops on this topic much like was done with GASB 34? What is the definition of “outdoor physical fitness facility”? Does IPRA or IAPD plan on offering workshops on this topic much like was done with GASB 34?

]]> by: Mike Clark http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46825 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:19:47 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46825 While I fully appreciate the intent and the emotional strings attached to this legislation, this is yet another mandate by the state which I fully expect will be expected to be funded through our own local budgets without any assistance from the state or feds. The cost is one thing, the requirement to have a trained person on site for every soccer, baseball or flag football program throughout an entire parks system is quite another. It will be interesting to see how "outdoor facilities" will be interpreted. However, by the text within this report it would seem that every park with athletic fields will need to have one on site. I don't know about others but many of our fields have no buildings around to house this equipment. Where are we going to put them, secure them, etc? The intent and rationale for the need is true and commendable, the reality to implement it is unfair and again more burden for agencies to adhere with the limited resources available and capped. While I fully appreciate the intent and the emotional strings attached to this legislation, this is yet another mandate by the state which I fully expect will be expected to be funded through our own local budgets without any assistance from the state or feds. The cost is one thing, the requirement to have a trained person on site for every soccer, baseball or flag football program throughout an entire parks system is quite another.

It will be interesting to see how “outdoor facilities” will be interpreted. However, by the text within this report it would seem that every park with athletic fields will need to have one on site. I don’t know about others but many of our fields have no buildings around to house this equipment. Where are we going to put them, secure them, etc?

The intent and rationale for the need is true and commendable, the reality to implement it is unfair and again more burden for agencies to adhere with the limited resources available and capped.

]]> by: Tom Vargo http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46823 Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:05:35 +0000 http://blog.ilipra.org/aeds-needed-at-park-district-facilities/#comment-46823 I am curious if this will also apply to any of the state universities? I am curious if this will also apply to any of the state universities?

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