Arrowhead AED installs first outdoor lifesaving device in Cook County

Community members, county officials, and board members with the nonprofit Arrowhead AED gathered on Wednesday afternoon at the Cook County Community Center to celebrate the installation of a new outdoor Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit. The event also featured an AED demonstration with a medical professional and Cook County Higher Education.

Arrowhead AED board members with newly installed outdoor ‘Save Station’ AED unit at the Cook County Community Center

“It was great to go up there and to see those who showed up and came to support us,” said Arrowhead AED President Kris Smith. “It gets you a little sentimental, makes you realize that all this hard work – what you’re doing is well worth it, and paying off, and that people are just as excited about it as we are.”

The nonprofit’s formation and mission to install outdoor AED units across the county to help save lives began nearly a year ago. The effort was inspired by board member Debbie Ryden’s personal experience after her son survived a cardiac event thanks to a nearby AED and the quick actions of his girlfriend.

Shortly after, several other community members and friends joined the initiative, each with their own personal experiences related to heart or cardiac issues.

“We put a lot of work in the last eight months to get stuff going, and now to see the first one going up and the other ones coming up is making the reality of what we started come true,” said Treasurer Rich Furlong.

The newly installed outdoor AED unit at the community center is the first in a line of units that will soon be located throughout the county. Recently, the nonprofit donated one of the units to the North House Folk School for use on the Hjordis sailboat.

The nonprofit has been fundraising and soliciting donations to purchase several outdoor AED units and since it’s establishment has received incredible support, Smith said.

The next round of outdoor AED units is expected to be installed at Voyaguer Brewing in downtown Grand Marais, in Grand Portage, and at the Birch Grove Community School. Depending on the model, the outdoor “Save Station” towers and portable AEDs vary in cost, with all devices purchased through the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts.

Furlong said the AED tower units, which come with cellular capability and a maintenance package, are approximately $7,000 to $8,400, while the portable units are about $1,600.

The AED tower units are equipped with a camera and the ability to notify law enforcement and Arrowhead AED board members when the door is open or the unit is in use.

Learn more or contact Arrowhead AED board members at arrowheadaed@gmail.com.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins sat down with Arrowhead AED President Kris Smith and Treasurer Rich Furlong following the ribbon-cutting ceremony to talk about the nonprofit’s initiative. Audio below.

Kalli Hawkins July 3, 2026