Huntsville Approves AED donation With Ongoing Cost Commitments

A new AED will be located at the Port Sydney beach

Huntsville General Committee approved a donation with ongoing cost commitments for an automated external defibrillator (AED), in the March 25, 2026, meeting.

According to the staff report, the AED includes Save Station and will be installed at Port Sydney Beach, and includes ongoing operating and future replacement costs tied to the equipment.

Staff recommended accepting the donation while incorporating the asset into the Town's long-term financial planning.

Staff reported that the AED and Save Station will be funded through a $12,000 donation led by the Port Sydney Firefighters Association, with contributions from the Stephenson District Lions Club, Deans Home Hardware, and the Mary Lake Cottagers Association. The funding will cover the purchase and installation of the equipment.

While the upfront cost is covered by the community, the Town will assume responsibility for maintaining, monitoring, and eventually replacing the units. The AED is expected to have a lifespan of five years, with an estimated replacement cost of $2,295, while the Save Station is estimated at $6,615.

To address these future costs, staff outlined that $1,782 annually will be added to capital contributions beginning in the Mayor's Draft 2027 budget.

Operational costs are expected to be relatively low, including approximately $50 per year for AED monitoring and periodic pad replacement, along with future monitoring costs for the Save Station once initial coverage ends.

According to the report, the nearest AED to Port Sydney Beach is currently located at the Port Sydney Community Hall and is only accessible when the building is open. The new installation will provide year-round public access at a location that sees consistent use for swimming, boating, events, and winter recreation.

Huntsville currently owns and maintains 13 AEDs across the municipality, and staff noted there are no existing capital plans to expand the program. However, staff report that the donation provides an opportunity to improve emergency coverage in a high-traffic area.

The Town's Public Access Defibrillator Program is intended to improve survival rates in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada estimates there are approximately 35,000 cardiac arrests each year nationwide.

With the addition of the Port Sydney Beach unit, the Town expands access to life-saving equipment while committing to the long-term costs associated with maintaining the program.

Councillor, Jason FitzGerald, said, “I hope it doesn’t get used but it’s there if we need it.”

When asked how many of the existing 13 AEDs get used, staff advised “none used.”

They added that they will continue to assess existing locations and needs based on “new recreation activities.”