LIVINGSTON MANOR — The town of Rockland was the recipient of two AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) from the generosity of the Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Acting on the behalf of the department was Captain Ralph Bressler and President Alex Rau. 

Rau explained that the town allocated roughly $3,000 dollars to the ambulance corp every year. To give back to the town, the machines were purchased with the funds and donated back to the town for the safety of its employees and anyone who might need them.

“Because our revenues are doing well this year, we choose to take that money and donate to two different layers to the town of Rockland,” Rau said. One machine will be placed at the town hall, while the other will be on-hand at the Town Highway Supervisor’s office. According to the Ambulance Corp leaders, an AED is the third step on the cardiac arrest chain of survival, preceded by calling 911 and beginning immediate CPR. The Ambulance Corp also said they would assist in mandatory AED training to town employees.

Prior to the town’s acceptance of the donation, Rau briefed the Town Board on the stats from the previous year – noting 2023 saw a total of roughly 900 calls, with 250 of them being in the Rockland area.