The Grind Pembroke receives defibrillator in honour of Ted O’Brien

By Patricia Leboeuf | February 24, 2022 | Local

Seven people stand next to each other all wearing masks, two holding items in hands

An automatic external defibrillator (AED) was installed at The Grind Pembroke on Feb. 4. The Chase McEachern Memorial Fund donated the AED in memory of retired Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detective Staff Sergeant Edward “Ted” O’Brien. Pictured with the AED are, from left, Jeff Bahm, Alison Bahm, the Grind Pembroke Executive Director Jerry Novack, Deacon Adrien Chaput, Laurie O’Brien, John McEachern and Dorothy McEachern. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

Man stands at controls of boat, turned towards camera, smiling — Though O’Brien passed away at 57, his legacy of protecting the public will continue with the AED. (Submitted photo)

The Grind Pembroke is now outfitted with an automatic external defibrillator (AED), safeguarding its clients and staff in the event of a cardiac emergency.

The defibrillator was installed on Feb. 4.

With The Grind Pembroke serving more than 150 people daily through its Community Kitchen and many more accessing the organization’s services, the onsite AED is an invaluable piece of equipment, said Jerry Novack, The Grind Executive Director.

“Now that we have this device, we will be able to help if (an emergency) ever happens,” said Novack.

The Chase McEachern Memorial Fund donated the Zoll 3 defibrillator in loving memory of retired Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detective Staff Sergeant and friend to all, Edward “Ted” O’Brien.

“It was a positive name in the area, really well known,” said Deacon Adrien Chaput.

O’Brien passed away at the age of 57. He served 30 years with the OPP and had lived his life to the fullest, having three great loves: his wife Laurie, his friends and family and the Boston Bruins.

“Ted was proud to say that he grew up in Pembroke and was passionate about the community and about helping others,” said his friend Jeff Bahm on behalf of O’Brien’s wife, Laurie. “He was a very kind and generous guy.”

As a police officer, he was responsible for making the community a safer place, and this legacy lives on through the defibrillator.

“This are more chances for him to save somebody’s life,” said Bahm.

A defibrillator can often mean the difference between life and death for those with heart conditions.

According to the Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, when used in conjunction with CPR in the first few minutes after a cardiac arrest, defibrillation can dramatically improve cardiac arrest survival rates by more than 50 per cent. AEDs are now common in many public buildings.

This was Chase McEachern’s vision.

He spent his young life campaigning to have mandatory heart defibrillators available at schools and hockey arenas, but he passed away on Feb. 15, 2006, before his dream could be fulfilled. His family took over the mantle and have made strides in changing the law and ensuring that many public spaces are equipped with an AED.

The Ontario goverment also passed the Chase McEachern Act in 2006, which protects anybody using a defibrillator in good faith from liability.

For more information on the Chase McEachern Memorial Fund, please visit www.chasesdream.org.

The Grind is located at 273 Victoria St. in Pembroke. The charitable organization serves marginalized, low-to no-income community members throughout Renfrew County by providing meals and helping people access the complex social and health services network.

The building is open to its clientele but is still undergoing renovations. More services will be soon available for its clients.

For more information on the Grind Pembroke’s many services, please visit www.facebook.com/thegrindpembroke.