Shawangunk Supervisor Ken Ronk Jr., at the end of the town’s August 1 meeting, announced that the board will apply for Ulster County’s new AED grant program, providing much-desired funding for medical equipment and training that the town’s summer camp would use in case of a cardiac emergency.

“Ulster County just released an AED program offering up to $5,000 per camp and sports organization. We are submitting an application for our summer camp,” Ronk said. “This is a life-changing opportunity for the county, and we’ll be putting more information about it on our website.”

The county launched the program at the end of July after receiving $250,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. This grant can provide summer camp and youth sports groups up to $5,000 in funding for automatic external defibrillators, devices that restart a person’s heartbeat during a cardiac arrest, and the training to use them. All qualified groups must apply for the grant before October 15.

“An AED can save a life in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, and it makes good sense for every summer camp and sports program to have this equipment at the ready and to have an individual trained in its use,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger on July 30. “I want to thank the Ulster County Legislature for creating this ARPA-funded program, which will help ensure that camps and sports programs can afford to make this essential public health and safety investment.”

The program is a result of an amendment made to the NYS Public Health Law last January, requiring all summer camps and youth sports groups to have at least one AED and a certified user on standby. Given that young campers or athletes could experience cardiac arrest through blunt chest injuries, such as getting accidentally hit in the chest with a baseball, this initiative will ensure safety for the county’s children while they play sports and have fun outdoors.

“AEDs can mean the difference between life and death in cardiac emergencies, and making them more accessible at youth sports events and camps is a game-changer for our community’s safety,” said Everett Erichsen, Director of Ulster County’s emergency services department. “This $250,000 grant program demonstrates Ulster County’s commitment to protecting our young athletes and ensuring peace of mind for parents and coaches alike.”

For more information, contact AEDGrant@co.ulster.ny.us.