Town of Wayland Recreation Department, Wayland Fire Department Receive Donation to Purchase AED

For immediate release

WAYLAND — Recreation Director Katherine Brenna and Fire Chief Neil McPherson are pleased to share that the Wayland Recreation and Fire Departments recently received a donation from The Clifford Group, which was used to purchase a new defibrillator. 

The Clifford Group generously donated $1,725 to the Wayland Recreation and Fire Departments on Jan. 11. The funds will be used to purchase a new AED to be installed at Loker Field on Commonwealth Avenue, which is set to open this spring.

For the last two years, the Wayland Recreation Department, in partnership with the Wayland Fire Department, has been working to install weather-proof defibrillator cabinets to house automated external defibrillator (AED)’s at outdoor recreation sites. 

These cabinets will allow Wayland athletic field users to have 24/7 access to essential lifesaving equipment when minutes count.

The Town has already installed one at Town Building Field and another at Cochituate Ball Park.

Recently, AEDs have received national attention when one was used to save the life of NFL Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who collapsed on the field.

“All of us at the Wayland Fire Department would like to thank The Clifford Group for their generous donation to our Town,” said Chief McPherson. “The new AED will help residents and the Fire Department work quickly when it comes to emergency situations and could potentially save lives.”

Wayland Recreation Department is closely following a proposed bill and state legislation that would mandate AEDs at outdoor parks and playgrounds.

“The Town of Wayland has been working on an initiative to install new AEDs at all our athletic fields for the past two years, and The Clifford Group’s recent donation is helping us to come closer to that goal,” said Recreation Director Brenna. “A huge thank you to The Clifford Group, whose generosity could help to save lives.”