Quote:
Originally Posted by NoMo50
There is some misinformation in the previous posts, but mostly right. I live in Chitty Chatty, and our neighborhood AED program has excellent participation amongst our 472 homes. We have 8 AED boxes set up, which myself and another individual set in place. Our actual AED units were ordered months ago, but are still stuck in the supply chain somewhere...hence the empty boxes.
The AED units themselves are closer to $1400, not $3000 as one poster mentioned. The batteries should last about 4 years before needing replacement, but we'll see how that holds up in the Florida heat. An important note: the AED boxes CAN be placed on property owned by The Villages. In fact, The Villages recommends they be erected on District property wherever possible. If placed on District property, they will set the posts for you...we installed the PVC sleeves, light caps, and boxes on those.
Also, the Villages Fire Department is transitioning away from Ready Alert as their responder notification system. Ready Alert charges an annual fee per responder, and is very expensive. The Fire Department has decided to use Pulse Point as its responder notification system, and Pulse Point is free. That is what we will be using in Chitty Chatty.
We have collected sufficient funding for our neighborhood program to operate for many years. Our volunteer responders have all been trained by the Villages Fire Department. Our boxes are up and ready to go. We just need the supply chain to loosen up so the AED units can be placed inside. But, even though we are ready to go, I will be very happy if we never have to use one.
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So who paid to purchase the post, PVC sleeve, light cap and box? That should be included in the cost of each AED if paid for by the village. And you state, y'all have enough money to fund the AED program for many years. What does that equate to per AED?
I didn't say the AED itself was $3000 each, what I said was "about $3K each from what I've been told to purchase one, buy the pole & box, get pole & box installed, etc." The etc was for the incidentals. I continued with "Batteries must be replaced every couple years along with other expenses such as inspecting the AED's on a regular basis and replacing any components of the kits as necessary. Components would include gloves, patches, leads, etc."
I would think that if $3000 per AED was raised then one would have a sufficient amount to fund the program for a few years. If only initial money is collected to buy the AED (and the post, PVC sleeve, light cap and box are free), that isn't enough money to have in the AED coffer.
In my opinion, no one wants to be asked every few months for more money to buy the ongoing supplies. If the program is funded for a few years, then when that funding gets down to a certain level ($1000 per AED for example) then the villagers could be asked to contribute something again to fund the program for several more years. One must also realize that supplies have to be kept on hand to immediately replace any that were used.