Monroe recognized for
‘heart-saving’ program
BY TARA PETERSEN
Staff Writer

MONROE — The American Heart Association recently recognized Monroe Township for its defibrillator program.

The AHA gave the township a Heart Savers Award during a Feb. 3 ceremony in honor of its proactive efforts to save lives by installing defibrillators in all township-owned buildings.

Township Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton said the program is another example of Monroe Township’s proactive efforts "in the field of emergency medicine and enhancing the community’s reputation as a safe community to raise a family and retire."

The township also recently expanded the role of its clinical coordinator position by making it a full-time job. The position is held by William Gardener, who is responsible for training township employees, school personnel, interested residents and area business personnel in CPR, the use of defibrillators and other health issues.

Gardener began training township employees in the use of defibrillators last year, Hamilton said.

Hamilton said the program was "a tribute to Bill Gardener’s expertise and to those employees who volunteered to be trained on the use of the defibrillators."

Firefighter Les Barta, of Monroe Township Fire District 2, presented the award on behalf of the American Heart Association.

Officials said the award is given to groups, individuals and towns that take an active role in responding to sudden cardiac arrest, including initiating and implementing automatic external defibrillator (AED) programs.

Barta said thousands of residents in Monroe have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR.)

"[Gardener] has been able to provide more than 2,500 residents and township employees with CPR-related training — an astounding 9.6 percent of residents, and still increasing," Barta said. "It is generally acknowledged that only 1 percent of the U.S. population is trained."

A total of 28 AEDs have been installed in police, fire and EMS vehicles, officials said. AEDs have also been given to the recreation, administration, library and public works departments.

Barta said the AED units have already saved lives.

"This outstanding effort already resulted in two AED saves last year by Monroe Township police, further illustrating the value of the program," Barta said.