New AED Installed at Harrison Community Center as Part of Ongoing Safety Efforts

City of Harrison Fire Chief Hursong and Lauren White, from One Shot Foundation

The City of Harrison has partnered with the One Shot Foundation to install a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the Harrison Community Center, expanding access to life-saving equipment for residents, athletes, and visitors.

The effort was made possible through the leadership of Lauren White, Director of Program Development for the One Shot Foundation, who worked directly with Fire Chief William Hursong and the City of Harrison to coordinate AED placement and community training.

In addition to AED placement, the One Shot Foundation provides Take 10 Training, a free, 10-minute educational program that teaches hands-only CPR and how to confidently use an AED. The training focuses on simple, repeatable actions pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest and helps build muscle memory so bystanders are prepared to act during the crucial first minutes of a cardiac emergency.

The training is led locally by White, who is also a certified athletic trainer with more than a decade of experience in emergency preparedness.

Prior to joining the foundation full time, she spent 12 years as an athletic trainer at Taylor High School, where she implemented Take 10 Training for student athletes, incoming freshmen, and school staff.

“One of the biggest challenges in an emergency is hesitation,” White shared. “People want to help, but they don’t always know what to do. This training gives them the confidence to act.”

New AED located outside the Harrison Community Center

Take 10 Training has already been provided to seniors at the Harrison Community Center, local sports teams, schools, businesses, and community groups. The program is designed to complement full CPR certification by reinforcing skills through short, frequent practice sessions.

The newly installed AED also improves safety when the Community Center building is closed, ensuring nearby athletic fields and outdoor activities remain protected. Once finalized, the AED will be registered in public databases so it can be easily located during an emergency.

Through continued collaboration and proactive planning, the City of Harrison remains committed to protecting the health and safety of the community it serves.

Article and photography by Amy Staiger