The mayor has approved the installation of an automated external defibrillator at Plum Island Point after months of expressing opposition.
Over the past year, Plum Island residents working with the Plum Island Foundation raised enough money to buy and install two automated external defibrillators and attached landline telephones – one at Plum Island Center in Newbury and another at Plum Island Point in Newburyport.
Mayor Donna Holaday originally supported the idea of installing a defibrillator on Plum Island Point when it was raised last year, but backed out after hearing concerns from public safety officials, including fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, about potential security and safety issues. As a result, the first was installed at Plum Island Center in March, while the Plum Island Point AED was not installed.
But after hearing a change in opinion from LeClaire, Holaday has approved the Newburyport defibrillator and its installation is in the works.
LeClaire previously said he was concerned an AED could shift bystanders’ attention away from making a timely 911 phone call and that it could also present security or liability issues for the city.