Stamford Preschoolers Are Safer Thanks To Defibrillator Donation, Training

STAMFORD, Conn. — Some Stamford preschoolers will be a little safer in their classrooms, thanks to a donation of life-saving defibrillators — and vital teacher training to use them — from the Stamford Paramedic Association and Hands for Life.

Stamford EMT Robert Hackett, Our Lady of Grace volunteer Francine Manfredi and Pete Kessler, president of the Stamford Paramedic Association, local 684, celebrate the new defibrillators at two Stamford nursery schools.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Meredith Guinness

12/04/2017 4:00 a.m.

The organizations donated $1,500 for automated external defibrillators for the Our Lady of Grace and Villa Divino Amore nursery schools.

Stamford EMS will teach staff members at each school how to use the life-saving devices.

“We are excited that Stamford EMS and Stamford Paramedic Association has spearheaded this event,” said Dr. Thomas Nero, head of the Hands for Life effort and a Stamford EMS board member. “Their commitment to our community is extraordinary and should be celebrated.”

Francine Manfredi, a volunteer at Our Lady of Grace, and a recent graduate of the EMT program, recognized the need for AEDs in the schools and made the donation request.

“In the EMT program I learned so much, and realized we didn’t have the AED equipment at the schools,” said Manfredi. “It became my mission to fundraise for them, but we came up short. That’s when I approached the organizations for a donation, and I’m blown away by the generosity; I have shivers.”

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