Holy Name Press Releases

200 Club and  Holy Name Hospital partner to donate 13 defibrillators

January 25, 2007

Ridgefield Park and Paramus Ambulance Corps, Fort Lee FD, Maywood PD Recipients of Life-Saving Devices

TEANECK, NJ The 200 Club of Bergen County and Holy Name Hospital have partnered to donate 13 defibrillators to first responders in four Bergen County municipalities.  

The Fort Lee Fire Department, Maywood's Police Department and the Paramus Ambulance Corps received four Medtronic-brand defibrillators each, while Ridgefield Park's Ambulance Corps received one unit as part of the 200 Club's annual Appropriations program.  

According to Fort Lee Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Bernard, the four new defibrillators are vital to ensure the safety of his squad and other first responders who battle the intense and suffocating heat of fires.  Because of Fort Lee's location, the defibrillators will be used in responding to emergency calls from the Port Authority, Palisades Interstate Park Police and other East Bergen towns.  Representatives from the other recipients echoed similar sentiments that the defibrillators will not only ensure the safety of local residents, but will also aid any first responders in need.  

The 200 Club of Bergen County, a non-profit organization which provides financial and emotional support to law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel throughout the county, originally had agreed to provide matching grants to cover half the costs for the purchase of 13 defibrillators to the four agencies.  Hearing about the need, representatives from Holy Name Hospital stepped in with an offer to donate seven units.  The Teaneck-based hospital's generosity allowed the 200 Club to pick up the full cost for the remaining six units providing the gift of life to public servants and the residents they serve in those four towns.  

Since 1998, the 200 Club of Bergen County has given more than $600,000 via its Appropriations Program.  Last year, the club raised its yearly appropriations to $100,000 from $50,000.  Holy Name's donation of seven Medtronic LifePak 500 Automated External Defibrillators is valued at approximately $19,000.

"Part of our mission is to create goodwill in the communities we serve," said Wayne Kinder, vice president of facilities at Holy Name and a 200 Club member since 1994.  "As members of the medical profession, we understand fully the value of having the best equipment, whether it's in the hospital or out on the road.  We're excited about partnering with the 200 Club on this donation."

Defibrillators provide a lifesaving pulse of electricity to restore the heart's normal rhythm after someone has gone into sudden cardiac arrest.  According to defibrillator manufacturer Medtronic, the use of defibrillators on sudden cardiac arrest victims can increase their chances of survival from 10 percent to 74 percent.

Holy Name Hospital is a leader in cardiovascular services, and provides basic and advanced mobile services throughout the eastern Bergen County region.  As a provider of emergency medical services to local municipalities on a contract basis, Holy Name is intimately familiar with the need for defibrillators in the field.  

"The generosity of organizations associated with the 200 Club such as Holy Name Hospital makes our job easier and helps to ensure the safety of Bergen County residents," said Jack Terhune, a 200 Club vice president and member of the Appropriations Committee.  

The 200 Club of Bergen County (www.200club.org) is a non-profit organization founded in 1985 to support both financial and emotionally law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel and their families throughout Bergen County in the event of death or serious injury in the line of duty. The 200 Club also provides support in the form of scholarships and special needs appropriations to agencies which serve and protect Bergen County communities.