First 24/7 Residential SaveStation AED in Lanark County Strengthens Emergency Readiness
August 14, 2025
LCPS Commander Janice Steele takes
personal initiative to expand public access to AED
Montague, Ontario – In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, every second
matters. For each minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of
survival drops by 7–10%. While 70–85% of cardiac arrests happen at home, most
automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are locked inside buildings after
hours, out of reach when they’re needed most.
This month, Lanark County
Paramedic Service (LCPS) Commander Janice Steele took a personal step to change
that, investing her own funds to install the county’s first outdoor,
climate-controlled residential SaveStation AED outside her home. The unit is
accessible to the public 24/7, providing lifesaving equipment to her community
at any time of day or night.
“As a paramedic, I’ve seen
firsthand how early defibrillation can mean the difference between life and
death,” said Steele, who also serves as LCPS’s Public Access Defibrillator
(PAD) Program Coordinator. “While our paramedics respond as quickly as possible,
bystander CPR and AED use in the first few minutes can dramatically increase
survival rates. My goal is to remove access barriers and give my neighbours the
tools and confidence to act in a cardiac arrest emergency.”
The SaveStation, supplied
through Action First Aid, is a climate-controlled, security-monitored outdoor
cabinet that keeps the AED protected while ensuring it is always available. The
installation is expected to be the first step toward future integration with
PulsePoint technology, which could allow 911 dispatch to alert nearby
responders and trigger the cabinet’s beacon light during a cardiac arrest.
The LCPS PAD program works
to:
· Support new and
existing AED owners
· Increase AED
access and availability
· Promote CPR &
AED awareness
· Help ensure units
remain rescue-ready
“The SaveStation is a great
example of our team’s commitment to innovation and community safety,” said
Travis Mellema, Chief, Lanark County Paramedic Service. “Janice’s initiative
not only increases access to lifesaving equipment but also raises awareness
about the importance of CPR and AED readiness. We encourage everyone to learn
these skills, because you never know when you might be the first on scene.”
Free CPR/AED training for
the community
To further support community
readiness, Steele will host a free educational session for her neighbours,
focused on hands-only CPR and how to confidently use an AED in a cardiac arrest
emergency. Special thanks to Ireton Electric, who generously donated the
installation materials and labour to support this lifesaving community
initiative.
For more information on the
Lanark County Public Access Defibrillator program, email publicaccessdefib@lcps.care.
-30-
Media Contact:
Caitlin O’Hara, Communications Lead
Mississippi River Health Alliance
613-621-9638
caohara@mrha.ca
About Lanark County Paramedic Service
Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) provides
essential pre-hospital emergency medical care to residents and visitors across
Lanark County. Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, LCPS paramedics are the
first point of contact for many in emergency situations, responding to a wide
range of medical and trauma-related calls. With a strong commitment to
innovation, professionalism, and community partnerships, LCPS is dedicated to
enhancing the health and safety of the region. For more information, visit www.lanarkcountyparamedicservice.ca.
About
the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA)
The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) was
formed in 2016 to formalize and strengthen collaboration between the Almonte
General Hospital Corporation—which includes Almonte General Hospital (AGH),
Fairview Manor (FVM), and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) and the
Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Corporation (CPDMH). This
partnership delivers seamless, high-quality healthcare that addresses the
evolving needs of local communities. Together, the MRHA is building an
integrated healthcare system that provides comprehensive care close to home,
enhancing access and improving health outcomes throughout the region. For more
information visit www.MRHA.ca.