The Cordova Recreation & Park District (District) and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (Sac Metro Fire) came together at Hagan Community Park to celebrate the installation of the first AED cabinet in a District community park. Photo courtesy of Cordova Recreation & Park District

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - On Nov. 12, the Cordova Recreation & Park District (District) and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District (Sac Metro Fire) came together at Hagan Community Park to celebrate the installation of the first AED cabinet in a District community park with a ribbon cutting at Sullivan Shed. The event was followed by a hands-on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training session. 

This meaningful milestone celebrates the beginning of a larger initiative, inspired by Sacramento-area resident and cardiac arrest survivor Joe Ellis, to make our parks safer and more resilient spaces for everyone who enjoys them. In partnership with Sac Metro Fire, the District is working to expand access to AEDs in select District community parks as part of Sac Metro Fire’s “Citizen Responders Project”, which follows the Heartsafe community initiative model. That means greater safety, greater preparedness, and, ultimately, greater peace of mind. 

District Director of Parks & Recreation, Jill Nunes, highlighted the importance of the new installation.

“While our community centers, sports center and community pools have long been equipped with AEDs, this installation extends that same lifesaving capability right into the heart of our parks. Because as we all know, emergencies can happen anywhere — and with this addition, help is that much closer when it’s needed most,” said Nunes.

Sacramento Metro Fire Captain Jim Ellis added, “This is people saving people. The strongest outcomes happen when the community and first responders work together from the very first moments.” 

Captain Ellis explained that when a bystander witnesses a cardiac arrest and begins CPR immediately, a person’s chance of survival increases to about 30 percent. Photo courtesy of Cordova Recreation & Park District

Captain Ellis explained that when a bystander witnesses a cardiac arrest and begins CPR immediately, a person’s chance of survival increases to about 30 percent. If an AED is also used before emergency crews arrive, survival rates can climb to nearly 50 percent. By comparison, the national survival rate for sudden cardiac arrest is only around 8 percent. 

“These numbers show just how powerful early action can be,” Ellis said. “This program is about providing access, knowledge and the confidence for people in the community to act. By placing AEDs in parks and making sure people know how to use them, we’re giving everyday citizens the ability to make a real difference during those critical first minutes when responders are en route.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this important milestone and supporting safer parks for our community. The newly installed AED cabinet at Hagan Community Park can now be located using the PulsePoint AED mobile app. In an emergency, 911 dispatchers can direct nearby bystanders to the cabinet and provide access, allowing lifesaving care to begin within minutes.

For more information about the Cordova Recreation & Park District, visit cordovarpd.gov, and to learn more about Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, visit metrofire.ca.gov.