MassBay Receives Funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to Purchase Automatic External Defibrillators

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded MassBay Community College $2,453 in grant funding to purchase Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) for emergency response vehicles. MassBay was one of 80 Massachusetts municipalities, public colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations to receive this funding to help increase access to this lifesaving equipment during medical emergencies when every second matters.

An AED is a medical device used to support people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, which is the abrupt loss of heart function in a person who may or may not have been diagnosed with heart disease. An AED analyzes the patient’s heart rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm.

“Immediate access to AEDs is vital to someone facing a medical crisis. By expanding availability statewide, we’re equipping first responders with the necessary tools to provide lifesaving emergency care for patients,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This essential equipment will enhance the medical response for cardiac patients across Massachusetts and improve outcomes during an emergency event.”

“Equipping emergency response vehicles with AEDs helps to ensure that these critical devices are quickly accessible for first responders and for those experiencing a medical emergency,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m proud that this administration was able to provide AED grants to 80 recipients and increase access to this lifesaving equipment during a cardiac emergency when time is of the essence.”

The funds were awarded through a competitive application process conducted by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), a state agency that is part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). The FY24 AED Grant Program was open to all Massachusetts municipalities – with priority given to those with populations of 20,000 or less- as well as public colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations with emergency response vehicles.