The government of British Columbia is investing an additional $1 million in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to expand the Public Access to Defibrillation program and help save lives.
The additional funding will support the placement of more automated external defibrillators (AEDs), for a total of up to 750 AEDs in a variety of public venues throughout B.C., including community centres, arenas, recreation centres, playing fields, libraries and sports centres.
The Ministry of Health and the Heart and Stroke Foundation originally each contributed $1 million to the program. The program officially launched in February 2013. The foundation will be fundraising to match the Province’s $1-million contribution, for a total of $4 million supporting the program.
The program will donate one or more automated external defibrillators to every municipality in British Columbia, depending on population size.
Currently, 175 AEDs have been placed in 82 communities throughout the province.