Life flight

IRONWOOD — The Gogebic Range Health Foundation and Aspirus Heart and Vascular Institute teamed together to donate two automated external defibrillators to the community on Monday. The AEDs arrived via the Aspirus MedEvac helicopter.

Scott Garavet, service line administrator at Aspirus Heart and Vascular Institute, said when they decided where to locate the new AEDs, they wanted to place them where they would have the biggest potential impact, at Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency in Bessemer and at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center in Ironwood.

Dick Armstrong, chairman of GRHF, said they were happy to partner with the institute and hoped to do more in the future, as they share the same commitment to keep the community healthy.

Dr. Christopher Pogliano explainedcardiac arrest is caused by heart rhythm problems, and is life-threatening. The first five minutes are critical, Pogliano said, which is when an AED can have the most success. The AED is placed on the person and will only deliver a pre-measured shock if it detects the person needs it.

Aspirus MedEvac crews will provide training to staff and volunteers at each location. Aspirus has been providing MedEvac services to the Gogebic Rrange since 2007, said EMS Bob Kirkley, generally traveling to Ironwood two to three times per month and then to Ontonagon four to five times per month, since Ontonagon doesn’t have paramedic services right now.

A cook-out and tours of the helicopter were provided to attendees.