Scarborough Town Hall now has a new piece of equipment – an automatic external defibrillator.

According to Tony Attardo, Emergency Medical Services deputy chief, the device can easily be used by the public to potentially save a life when someone collapses from sudden cardiac arrest. “More of these devices are being installed in public places and offices every week,” he said.

Mark Maroon, owner Allied Home Mortgage, had read that more than 400,000 people die yearly from sudden cardiac arrest – a statistic that he said motivated him to place a defibrillator in his new office building in Scarborough. Hel also contacted Scarborough Fire Chief Mike Thurlow and proposed partnering on an educational program to raise awareness among local business leaders on this inexpensive and proactive way to save lives.

For more information about the project, contact Maroon at 885-5070, ext. 101, or by e-mail at: markm@weshoprates.com.