Borowski & O’Mara join veterans to celebrate success of effort to make their gathering places safer
Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara September 17, 2024 | 3:04 PM
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Sept. 17 – State Reps. Lisa Borowski and Jennifer O’Mara, along with the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, celebrated today a $40,000 grant the legislators helped secure to place automatic external defibrillators in all American Legion and VFW posts in Delaware County.
They gathered at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial and also honored Army veteran Brian Sharif Taylor, who had a heart attack in February while volunteering at Upper Darby American Legion Post 214. He was 49 years old. Borowski said the campaign began in response to his death.
“It’s essential that the spaces veterans gather in are equipped with the tools to ensure their well-being. Having life-saving devices like AEDs readily available is not just a matter of safety -- it's a matter of respect,” Borowski said. “Our veterans have dedicated their lives to serving our country, and we must make sure their health and safety are prioritized when they come together as a community.”
"Placing AEDs in all of Delaware County’s VFWs and American Legions ensures the safety and well-being of those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country,” O’Mara said. “These devices can be the difference between life and death in an emergency, providing immediate support in the critical moments before first responders arrive.”
"Ensuring that our veterans have access to life-saving equipment, like AEDs, is a crucial step in safeguarding the health and well-being of those who have selflessly served our country,” House Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman Jordan Harris, D-Phila., said. “This funding is not just about providing resources -- it's about honoring our commitment to veterans by creating safer environments in the places where they gather and build community. By supporting these efforts, we are investing in the health and safety of those who have invested so much in our nation.”
The use of an AED significantly improves the odds of survival for someone in cardiac arrest and reduces the possibility of permanent impairments – but they’re only used outside of hospitals about 6% of the time. If an AED is available and a bystander uses it on the person experiencing cardiac arrest, their chance of survival jumps from 10% to up to 74%, according to recent medical studies.
The following locations will receive an AED thanks to the grant:
In O’Mara’s 165th Legislative District: Media VFW Post 3460, Colins Chambers VFW (Morton), Morton AMVETS Post 118
In Borowski’s 168th Legislative District: Bateman-Gallagher American Legion Post 668 (Wayne)
The following locations are eligible to receive an AED and training from Newtown Square Fire Co. thanks to the grant:
- John Wesley Cross American Legion Post 507 (Norwood)
- Marple Memorial American Legion Post 805 (Broomall)
- Murray-Stuart American Legion Post 566 (Glenolden)
- Upper Darby American Legion Post 214
- John McKenna American Legion Post 660 (Marcus Hook)
- American Legion Post 926 (Aston)
- American Legion Post 951 (Boothwyn)
- American Legion Post 338 (Havertown)
- American Legion Post 667 Manoa (Havertown)
- Leon Spencer Reid American Legion Post 547 (Ardmore)
- Frederick A. Scott American Legion Post 777 (Ridley)
- American Legion Post 358 (Clifton Heights)
- American Legion Aldan Memorial Post 1000
- VFW Bonaventure-Clark Post 6613 (Aston)
- VFW Post 928 (Folsom)
- Eddystone VFW Post 7949
- Darby VFW Post 19023
- Norwood VFW Post 7213
- Upper Darby VFW Post 979
- Essington VFW Post 4845