RAYNHAM — Chief Bryan LaCivita and Capt. Jeff Kelleher are pleased to share that the Raynham Fire Department has partnered with the American Legion Post 405 and Raynham Giants Youth Football to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
The American Legion Post 405 and Raynham Giants Youth Football raised $2,500 to purchase the LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator. The device will be stored on the members side in the Legion’s function hall, 291 Mill St., Raynham, and will be available to anyone attending a function.
The device will be available to youth football teams during athletic practices and games in the event of an injury or sudden cardiac arrest.
For the past 14 years, Capt. Kelleher and Firefighter Michael Haggerty have organized training for hundreds of residents and athletic coaches/directors in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
“We love what we do and we continue to look for organizations that need assistance in CPR training,” said Firefighter Haggerty. “It’s our hope that we can improve the safety for our residents and youth sports organizations.”
The Raynham Fire Department has assisted the Raynham Giants Youth Football league in annual CPR training for over a decade. The league mandates its coaches to be CPR and AED trained, certified and recertified, to ensure the safest practice for the young athletes.
“The Raynham Giants applaud Captain Kelleher and RFD for ongoing leadership, encouragement, and effort as it relates to CPR/AED training and certification for our youth football program,” said Raynham Giants Youth Football President Ryan Schleicher. “We are fortunate to live in such a wonderful, caring, and passionate community and we are grateful to have the very best public service departments around always looking out for us.”
Raynham Fire Department recently began working with the American Legion Post 405 to assist with its overall emergency preparedness. The Legion’s membership has grown exponentially and the function hall has become an incredibly busy place of assembly.
“We would like to thank Capt. Kelleher and the Raynham Fire Department for the continued support of CPR training for all the staff at the Post,” said Legion Post 405 Commander Kirsten Davis. “Installation of the AED goes a step further in our commitment to the safety of our community. While we hope to never have to use it, we know if the occasion arises, we have the training to assist until the fire department can respond.”
“We wish to thank all coaches and members of both organizations,” said Capt. Kelleher. “We would also like to thank a few of the driving forces, including James Banks and Commander Kirsten Davis, as well as the past and present Giants’ Presidents Jeremy Melusky and Ryan Schleicher. You all make our community a safer place. We are all in this together!”
The Raynham Fire Department has also recently assisted Pine Hill Estates, Raynham Lions Club, Raynham Senior Center and Raynham Town Hall with the acquisition of new AED’s and CPR training.
The department continues to provide CPR training and strongly encourages residents to become CPR certified, as it may save a life.
