The Responders Run is a one-of-a-kind event, exclusively for first responders. The second annual run was held on September 21 and, in addition to giving first responders the opportunity to get together in a non-emergent environment, its proceeds benefit the community.
Participants, who came from across Muskoka, Parry Sound and Haliburton, had the choice of running five or 10 kilometres along Hunters Bay Trail, after which they met for a crew breakfast and awards at the Huntsville Lake of Bays Fire Department’s Station 1.
Family and friends of the first responders cheered them on as they crossed Avery Beach, as did participants in the weekly Parkrun.
Dr. Lowell Greib from The SportLab and co-director of the event said that the participant numbers have doubled since the run’s inaugural year in 2018. “There was representation from all segments of first responders, including firefighters, police officers, paramedics and dispatchers. Not only did the participants have perfect weather for a run and a great crew breakfast at the Huntsville Fire Hall, but they were instrumental in raising proceeds that will be invested into lifesaving defibrillators in the community.”
Through proceeds from the run and a donation by Action First Aid, a SaveStation—a standalone unit that is climate controlled and houses an AED or automatic external defibrillator—has been donated to the Town of Huntsville. The value of the tower is about $4,500 while the defibrillator unit is between $1,500-2,000. Greib made a presentation to Huntsville’s Operations and Protective Services Committee on September 25 to ask for the Town’s help with installation of the unit and access to a power source through the Town. Action First Aid and The SportLab will assume the ongoing maintenance costs of the unit, including defibrillator pad and battery replacement, as well as monitoring costs.
Town staff will work with The SportLab to determine the best location in downtown Huntsville for the unit—adjacent to River Mill Park and outside the Algonquin Theatre are two suggestions that would ensure it is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “As we know, we can’t predict when we have a cardiac event. When they’re in a building that’s locked overnight or on the weekend, they’re not overly functional,” said Greib.
Learn more about the Responders Run at respondersrun.com.
With files from Dawn Huddlestone
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Ginger Barkey says
Great work at making our community safer – thanks for all the participants in this event and more thanks to the organizers.