| WALLACE – Firefighters and township supervisors met Thursday in Wagenseller Park to set up a defibrillator in honor of a teenager who loved athletics.
Supervisors sought an idea for the use of funds presented by the Tomlinson family, formerly of Wallace. The Tomlinsons raised $2,500 in donations in memory of Josh Tomlinson, who died in a 2001 car accident on Route 282 in Wallace.
John Sly of Westwood Fire Company offered the idea for the defibrillator because, he said, it has a “high probability of saving somebody’s life.” He said by having the defibrillator in the park, it could benefit an athlete or a spectator in an emergency.
Wallace also hosts monthly events in the park.
The idea of a defibrillator was well received by supervisors Rob Jones, Barbara D’Angelo and Bill Moore, who approved of the purchase.
“I’ve always been a big proponent of having access to defibrillators,” Sly said.
Sly said a defibrillator can be life-saving when the closest ambulance to the area is 15 minutes away. The park is in central Glenmoore. With Glen Moore Fire Company being nearby, first responders can begin the rescue quicker, which Sly said improves survival chances.
The defibrillator in the park has a safety feature that only allows the machine to operate when needed for an emergency use. The machine can detect if a person is not going into cardiac arrest, and therefore will not produce an electric shock to a person’s heart.
Sly said the machine also has spoken instructions.
Josh Tomlinson, a 2000 graduate of the Downingtown Area School District, wanted to be an umpire. He was 19. A plaque will be placed at the park in his honor. An AED sign, to indicate the defibrillator, is inside the snack bar and will be displayed on the building.
Sly discussed the placement of the defibrillator with Glen Moore Fire Chief Jeff Seese and Capt. Michael King.
Jones thanked Sly for the idea that “may benefit somebody someday.” Additionally, the supervisors agreed to purchase a defibrillator for the township building at 1250 Creek Road. |
