Senate Approves Fuschillo Measure Requiring A Sign Be Posted Indicating The Location Of A Lifesaving Defibrillator
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced that the State Senate approved legislation (S.1548A) this week that he sponsored that would require a sign be posted in the main entrance of buildings and facilities indicating the location of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The bill has also been approved by the State Assembly and will be sent to the Governor for consideration.
Senator Fuschillo (R, Merrick) said, "Making sure that lifesaving AEDs can be located easily and quickly can save time when seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Posting a sign indicating the location of a defibrillator will ensure that when one is needed, it can be found right away."
Jill Levine of Merrick, whose son Robbie Levine died at age 9 of sudden cardiac arrest during baseball practice in 2005, said, "The first day that Craig and I met with Senator Fuschillo after Robbie died, I remember sitting in his office saying ‘what good is an AED if no one knows where it is, and it’s not accessible?’ Senator Fuschillo agreed, and acted on these thoughts with this bill. We are so pleased that New York is taking the next step, making sure that AEDs are not only required in many locations, but accessible for use when needed. Unfortunately, we know that every second counts, and this bill can help ensure that no one else has to live with the tragedy of losing a child, or any loved one, as we did when Robbie died." Mrs. Levine is the co-founder of the Robbie Levine Foundation with her husband Craig Levine. The foundation raises funds to educate the public on the importance of AEDs.
Under the legislation, all public buildings and facilities that are already required by law to have AEDs on premises, including schools, restaurants, theaters, bars and health clubs, would be required to post a sign indicating the location of the defibrillator.
Senator Fuschillo explained that while a staff person at a certain facility will know the location of the AED at that facility, another qualified rescuer, for instance an off-duty physician, EMT, or AED qualified sports coach, who may need to use the equipment to save a life, may not know the location.
This legislation will ensure that the equipment can be located easily when people are under pressure.
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