Kent HEARTSafe Foundation
400 Bald Hill Road
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

Press Release

Kent HeartSafe Foundation receives its first AED Donation

WARWICK:  Dr. Joe Spinale, president of the Kent HeartSafe Foundation and vice chairman of Warwick’s Board of Public Safety, announced the first donation of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to the foundation. Joseph Ricci of the Cardiac Science Corporation donated the equipment, along with accessories and a training program. 

“I am pleased to help Warwick’s public access defibrillation program move forward,” Ricci said.

The device, known as the Powerheart AED G3, which is manufactured by Cardiac Science, is designed to help restart the heart in the case of a sudden cardiac arrest.  The AED analyzes the victim’s heart rhythm and administers a shock if required.  A defibrillation shock is the only definitive treatment for sudden cardiac arrest (also known as ventricular fibrillation).  The unit also prompts the rescuers to administer CPR and notify 911. 

“We are very excited to receive this state-of-the-art equipment for the city, and thank Joe Ricci and his company for their generosity,” Spinale said. The Powerheart AED is one of the top devices in the market.  The donation is valued in excess of $2,000.

According to Spinale, there are approximately nine cardiac arrests in the city each month. 

“Early defibrillation with an AED and initiation of CPR are the only way we can save these victims,” Spinale said. “One of the foundation’s main goals is to raise the area’s survival rate for cardiac arrest.  We can do this by training more of our citizens to perform CPR and use an AED.  We also need to have more AEDs in the community.  They should be as common as a fire extinguisher.”

Creation of the foundation was among many recommendations made by the Warwick HeartSafe Task Force, which Mayor Scott Avedisian established last winter to study this public safety issue.  Spinale, a cardiologist, chaired the task force, which was comprised of members of the city administration, the school department, Kent Hospital staff and area businesses.  The foundation plans to make AEDs available to the community at an affordable price, help with AED policy and procedures and spearhead a large public awareness campaign and CPR training program. 

Many public buildings in Warwick are now equipped with AEDs, Spinale said. The first donated device will likely be placed in a public building or facility that does not currently have the equipment. Spinale said the location will be determined by the Kent HeartSafe Foundation board in consultation with the Mayor’s office. Avedisian is also a board member.

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