Parksville council recently discussed the possibility of providing rebates for non-profits who purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Coun. Mary Beil said the idea came up when she noticed there was no AED — a portable device used to treat a person who has gone into cardiac arrest — at the McMillan Arts Centre.
“I have noticed that many if not most organizations that have an actual physical spot do in fact have these, but there may be some others that don’t,” Beil said during council's Nov. 4 meeting. “I think it’s something to consider if there’s a need out there, but again if it’s only one or two places then maybe we don’t need to set it up as a rebate.”
The item was one of several raised during council's financial planning discussions.
“It was a conversation at that time and I did not bring back a request for this to be a specific budget item,” Beil said.
Mayor Doug O'Brien said lots of organizations in town have AEDs in place and have done their own fundraising.
“I’ve never, up to this point, had a request come to the city,” he added. “Personally I don’t think I have an appetite for this at this time, but that’s just me. It’s up to council.”
No resolution regarding rebates for AEDs was made.
