Cochrane's EMS Crisis Citizens Action Group (CAG) isn't just advocating for better ambulance service, they're pushing for ways to be prepared for when they don't arrive promptly.

CAG chair Brian Winter poses the question, "If there's no EMS service and you're been told by the dispatcher it's going to be 45 minutes to an hour, what's your plan B?"

Since late January, the CAG has been advocating for the need for more publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the community.

It all came to head on Sept. 23 when the life of 75-year-old Calgarian Andy Kirby was saved by the swift actions of a group of people until the ambulance arrived 20 minutes later. He was clinically dead and kept alive with CPR until an AED was brought from the clubhouse to revive him.

Now, the family of Andy Kirby is in the preliminary stages of planning two charity golf tournaments to raise funds to purchase more AEDs. Winter says one will be held in Calgary in June, and the other is on Sept. 23 at the Cochrane Golf Club to mark the day Andy's life was saved.

Winter estimates AEDs cost around $1,300 apiece.

"If we raise $20,000 from the golf tournaments, then we'll have 11 or 12 AEDs we don't have right now in Cochrane."

A local paramedic is assisting the action group in confirming where existing AEDs are situated and will be making recommendations on where others should be deployed.

The action group is currently gearing up for the Cochrane Chamber Trade Show being held at the SLS Family Sports Centre from May 7 to 8.

They are preparing a comprehensive display to better inform residents of the EMS crisis in the community.

"We're really looking forward to manning that booth at the trade show. We want to get the information out to the citizens of Cochrane and area of where we are with EMS in Cochrane in particular, but also within the province."

Because they are an ad hoc group, they don't receive a penny in funding and are seeking sponsorships to help cover the cost of the booth.

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