Shocking new safety device added at Bend sports complexes

One of the things I appreciate most about our community is that when an important need arises, people come together to solve it.

That’s exactly what happened with a new effort to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at Bend Park & Recreation District sports complexes.

If you’ve visited Pine Nursery Park, Big Sky Park, Skyline Sports Complex or the Bend Whitewater Park recently, you may have noticed the new AED cabinets. The devices are available to help someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical emergency where every second matters.

While the equipment itself is important, what stands out most to me are the partnerships behind it.

This project brought together Bend Park & Recreation District, Bend Fire & Rescue, Deschutes County 911, HEARTsafe Bend and community advocates who understand firsthand why access to AEDs can mean the difference between life and death. The goal is simple: make it easier for any community members visiting a park to act before first responders arrive.

BPRD’s sports complexes welcome approximately 1.4 million visits each year from residents and visitors. Providing access to lifesaving equipment at these heavily used community gathering spaces is one more way we can support the health and safety of the people who use our parks every day.

For at least one local family, the value of an AED isn’t theoretical. Mary Taft, a volunteer with HEARTsafe Bend, knows exactly how important rapid access can be. Four years ago, her daughter, now 17, collapsed during an out-of-the-area soccer tournament after suffering sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart defect.

As Mary shared, “Her dad started CPR immediately while the only AED at the complex was retrieved. It shocked her back to life.” Today, her daughter is healthy and still playing soccer.

Reflecting on the new program, Mary said, “Our family is so very grateful that Bend Parks & Rec and Bend Fire are making it a priority to have emergency equipment available at our parks.”

Stories like hers remind us that preparedness matters. They also highlight the importance of community members being willing to step forward and help when an emergency happens.

That is why education is such a critical part of this effort. According to Drew Norris, Deputy Chief of EMS for Bend Fire & Rescue, “A person experiencing cardiac arrest has the best chance of survival when bystanders begin lifesaving efforts immediately, even before responders reach the scene. This means understanding how to perform hands-only CPR and how to use an AED is crucial for community members to know.”

The partnership extends even further. When someone calls 911 from a public space, such as the sports complexes, dispatchers can provide the access code for the AED cabinet and guide callers through the process while emergency responders are on their way.

As Chris Perry, Deschutes County 911 Operations Manager, explains, when someone calls 911, telecommunicators can help direct callers to a public AED and provide step-by-step instructions for its use.

That’s what I find most inspiring about this effort. It’s not just about installing equipment. It’s about building a network of organizations, volunteers, emergency responders and community members who are prepared to help one another.

No one expects a medical emergency to happen at a soccer game, a tournament or a dog walk at the park. But when it does, the strength of community partnerships and the willingness of bystanders to act can make all the difference.

When seconds matter, those connections can save a life.

To learn more about hands-only CPR, AED use, or free community CPR classes, visit Bend Fire & Rescue’s website. Community members can also download the PulsePoint app to locate publicly accessible AEDs and learn more about responding to cardiac emergencies.