Margaret Harmon of Kenmore recently donated a new automatic external defibrillator (AED) to the Northshore Fire Department.

Harmon recently retired from Physio Control in Redmond after working there for 30 years. Physio Control is a manufacturer of defibrillator units and has a program that provides a new AED to retiring employees to donate to the agency or charity of their choice.

AEDs are used to provide an electrical shock to the heart, typically following a heart attack or similar event in order to re-establish a normal heart rhythm. The unit will be placed in the new headquarters fire station in Kenmore, located at 7220 N.E. 181st St.

“We have citizens come in periodically with heart-related problems”, said Deputy Chief Jim Torpin, “This will provide us immediate access to life saving technology right in the lobby of the fire station.”