Ready to save a life?
Bill will require businesses to carry defibrillators
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Friday, December 4, 2009 10:42 AM PST
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| Ontario Fire & Rescue Firefighter and EMT Frank Grimaldo Sr. demonstrates the use of an automated external defibrillator. |
ONTARIO — Beginning Jan. 1, Oregon will require businesses with large areas where people gather during a normal business day to carry automated external defibrillators, but fire and rescue personnel, say they are a good investment for any size business, agency or organization.
Bob Quinn, owner and operator the Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and the Rodeway Inn, said he heard about the requirement but has some concerns and is not sure it will affect him.
“I would have to have someone trained to use it,” he said.
The Rodeway Inn is below the minimum size, he said, but he would have to check on his larger establishments.
State Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, released a statement Wednesday regarding the requirements of Senate Bill 556 — legislation that mandates the purchase of the defibrillators by “any place of public assembly with a facility of 50,000 square feet or more and with at least 25 individuals present on a normal business day.”
Around Ontario the defibrillators are already in many places.
“There are several businesses that already have them,” Frank Grimaldo Sr., Ontario Fire & Rescue member and EMT, said.
There are several at Ontario City Hall, he said, and banks have them, as well as the Post Office. Members of Ontario Fire & Rescue train people on the automated defibrillator at the same time as they conduct CPR classes.
However, while it might help, Grimaldo said a person does not have to know CPR to use these defibrillators.
“They are user-friendly,” he said, as he demonstrated one at City Hall. When a machine is activated, there is a voice that leads a person through the procedure of using it, and they are designed to help prevent mistakes. There are also pictures to show proper use.
In his statement, Bentz said he voted against the bills, because he believes organizations affected by the law should decide on their own, where to buy and operate the machines, pointing to the cost.
“A defibrillator costs around $1,200 to $2,000,” he said. Grimaldo said prices on the units are coming down and are around the lower figure of the estimate.
Exempt from the requirements of S.B. 556 are school district facilities, Education Service Districts, private schools, public charter schools and places of worship.
