With February being designated American Heart Month, Norfolk County Register of Deeds William O’Donnell today reaffirmed his support for legislation (H.1789) that would place Automated  External Defibrillators (AED) in Norfolk County governmental buildings.

The Register stated, “H.1789, currently before the Massachusetts House of Representatives, would place an AED in each of the ten Norfolk County governmental facilities. An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. The shock can potentially stop an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia) and allows for a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest.”

Previously, Register O’Donnell, along with the bill’s lead sponsor State Representative Denise Garlick (D-Needham) and co-sponsor State Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) had testified before the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government committee in support of the legislation. The Register noted, “Of the cardiac arrest deaths occurring each year, more than 95% of the victims never reached the hospital. According to the Occupational Safety Health Administration, using a defibrillator on individuals in cardiac arrest increases their survival rate by 60%.”

O’Donnell went on to note, “In addition to requiring that an AED be installed in each of the 10 Norfolk County governmental facilities, the legislation also requires that at least one employee or volunteer be trained in its use and be on the building’s grounds during business hours.”

Since 2010, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, at its own initiative and expense, has installed an AED on each of the 3 floors of the Registry of Deeds building, maintained the equipment and trained its employees to use the AED equipment. “We believe the small cost required to purchase an AED and train employees is well spent when you consider the potential lives that could be saved,” stated O’Donnell.

Register O’Donnell concluded by stating, “American Heart Month is a good time for all citizens to reflect and raise awareness about heart disease, how to prevent it, and steps that can be taken in the event of  cardiac arrest. If a cardiac arrest incident does occur, the difference between life and death may be the availability of a functioning AED unit. H.1789 is a proactive piece of legislation requiring an AED in the 10 Norfolk County governmental facilities. The legislation, currently before the House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, has received strong support from Rep. Garlick, Sen. Feeney and the Norfolk County state house delegation as a whole. It is hoped the Massachusetts Legislature will advance this important, common sense legislation.”

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The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  All land record research information can be found on the Registry’s website www.norfolkdeeds.org.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.

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