Fallon Ambulance, Town of Brookline Work Together to Place Defibrillators in Public Buildings

The Town of Brookline has installed defibrillators in three different municipal buildings, including the Brookline Senior Center, the Brookline Health Department, and the Brookline Town Hall. Additionally, the town has trained both staff members and volunteers in the use of these defibrillators, as a first step in the process. Fallon Ambulance Service, which provides the 9-1-1 service to Brookline, donated one of the defibrillator units to the town at no cost and assisted the town in purchasing two additional defibrillators at a reduced rate. Fallon Ambulance has also provided training to town staff members and volunteers in the use of the defibrillators. According to Lynne Karsten, Brookline's Director of Community Health, 30 individuals have been trained on the use of the defibrillators to date.

Brookline Commissioner of Public Health Alan Balsam said that the town's goal is to expand the defibrillator coverage it offers, through additional buildings and into the schools. He envisions defibrillator use, eventually, as becoming part of the school's curriculum, with ongoing training. He cited the city of Seattle, WA, as a municipality that provides extensive defibrillation coverage. "Eventually, we'd like defibrillators to be as commonplace as fire extinguishers," he said.

In addition to the effort brought forth in conjunction with Fallon Ambulance, the American Heart Association will work with the town through a grant, enabling students to learn the use of defibrillators.

According to Lynne Karsten, all training for defibrillators is accompanied by training in CPR.

Several private structures, including the Brookline Country Club and the Brook House, a major apartment and condominium complex, also have defibrillators on site.

Balsam said that Brookline operates a continuous community health assessment, known through its published name, "Healthy Brookline." He said their results show heart disease and stroke to be the leading cause of death among Brookline citizens. "We are strong believers in a preventive program, and know that these defibrillators increase the survival rates in heart attacks."

350,000 deaths from cardiac arrest each year

In the United States alone, greater than 350,000 adults die from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Sudden cardiac arrest is not preventable and can occur in cardiac patients as well as those lacking signs of cardiac illness.

In sudden cardiac arrest, the most frequently, and successfully, used emergency lifesaving method is the use of the external defibrillator, which corrects cardiac ventricular fibrillation through the application of electrical shock. Since the most successful response to sudden cardiac arrest is rapid, immediate application of shock by defibrillator, every minute of delay reduces the chances of success by 10 percent.

The concept of defibrillators has caught on, with public buildings, stadiums and casinos adding this to their standard first aid competence. A number of aircrafts have also added defibrillators.

"We salute the town of Brookline for its pro-active, pro-health stance," said Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Fallon Ambulance. He added, "Lynne and Alan are spearheading a program that we hope other communities will follow. The more coverage we have with defibrillators, the better everyone will be."

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.