Bonacic Secures State Aid To Equip Ulster County & Localities With Aeds

State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) announced today that he successfully worked to secure State funding to help Ulster County equip its municipal buildings with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The Ulster County Sheriff’s Department will also receive funding to purchase AEDs for several municipal departments.

"AEDs, combined with CPR, have proven to save more lives than using CPR alone," stated Senator Bonacic. "Our law enforcement offices and public buildings should all be equipped with them."

Senator Bonacic said the grant of $18,565 to be provided to the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department will be used to purchase AEDs for each of the following municipal departments upon Town Board approval: Towns of Wawarsing, Olive, Shandaken, Rosendale, New Paltz, Shawangunk, Saugerties, Ulster, and Woodstock, as well as the Village of Saugerties. A grant of $5,000 will be provided at the request of Robert Parete, Chair of the Public Health Committee, to equip county office buildings with AEDs

"Sheriff Paul J. Van Blarcum stated, "It is an honor and privilege to work with Senator Bonacic on such a worthwhile program. This program will benefit every citizen in Ulster County, as well as every visitor."

Chairman Robert Parete said, "I want to thank Senator Bonacic for recognizing the importance of these lifesaving devices and directing State dollars to pay for them. Having access to AEDs in our county buildings that are frequented by the public may mean the difference between life and death for heart attack victims.

"There is no downside to providing State dollars for AEDs. I was pleased to help the County and its local governments purchase equipment that would have otherwise been paid for through local property taxes. Our hardworking taxpayers cannot afford any additional burden," concluded Senator Bonacic.