The Nassau County Police Activity League (PAL) is in the process of implementing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program throughout the county. Our goal is to place devices on every field the PAL utilizes or have mobile units available for all of our programs. This initiative would benefit our organization as well as local youth programs and school districts. We would like to permanently secure the AEDs within the grounds in heavy-duty locked construction boxes, or set up a system to have units readily available to all our coaches.

PAL has taken the first step by purchasing the AEDs which was an enormous but worthwhile expense. To date, the PAL has purchased 80 devices. A pioneer organization, "The Louis J. Acompora Foundation (http://www.la12.org), has donated 32 devices to PAL to help ease the costs, putting the total at 122 devices to start the project rolling. The Acompora family has dedicated much time and energy in these lifesaving devices and believe strongly in this cause.

It is our belief no organization of our size, servicing over 42,000 youths, has attempted to implement such a huge project. We utilize over 50 school districts, all townships, some villages and several county parks. Thus far, we are getting positive feedback from the communities we service and anticipate full support in the near future. The Nassau County Police Activity League Corporation is very proud of the program and its progress to date. PAL President Ralph Wotruba would like to thank all of the PAL police officers, board members and volunteers for their hard work in coordinating this program.

The PAL is also in the process of training all our volunteers in the AED's usage. North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health Systems will serve as the Emergency Health Care Provider with Dr. Gerard Brogan serving as Medical Director. Dr. Brogan will oversee the use and training compliance of the AEDs for our organization.

We all hope no one will ever have to use this piece of equipment, but in such an unfortunate event, it would be a great asset to have readily available. We at PAL feel it's a meaningful and consequential venture and look forward to the day these lifesaving devices are readily accessible to all in need.

Tax-deductible donations to PAL and/or the AED program can be sent to PAL, 1490 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501 or call PAL at 573-5332 for more information.