Defibrillators to be installed at city park

A $2,000 Roundup for Safety grant from Flathead Electric Cooperative is helping the city of Kalispell buy two automated external defibrillators for heavily used Woodland Park.

One device will be installed at the Woodland Park Camp Center. The facility hosts Kalispell’s summer day camp program and hosts about 90 children a day through June, July and August.

The other device will be installed at Woodland Water Park. The aquatic center has more than 300 people on an average day and a total of more than 20,000 people each summer.

The Roundup for Safety grant to buy the defibrillators was awarded in June.

“We just felt like it was something we should have available with the amount of people who come through,” said Jennifer Young, recreation superintendent for Kalispell Parks and Recreation.

These are the first automated external defibrillators to be installed at any of Kalispell’s park facilities. The heart-starting devices have an automated voice that walks users through their operation. They improve the chances of survival for someone suffering from an irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest, Young said.

Parks and Recreation still is researching purchase options but hopes to have the two devices installed and ready for use by the end of this summer park season.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.