Residents donate defibrillator to Howley fire department HOWLEY KATHERINE HUDSON The Western Star

Howley Fire Chief Derek Murphy holds the anonymously donated defibrillator. — Star photo by Katherine Hudson

Howley fire chief Derek Murphy was surprised when he received a substantial donation for the town’s fire department a few weeks ago.

Someone in the town anonymously donated a heart defibrillator — a device which helps restore the natural rhythm of the heart when a person’s heart ceases to beat.

The piece of equipment, priced at about $2,500, was received about 10 days after Tony Kelly, a resident of Howley, died of a heart attack on Sept. 29.

“Howley’s an aging community,” Murphy said. “We’ve had three people take heart attacks (recently). One, unfortunately, passed away.”

“These persons recognized the need and contacted me and gave me the defibrillator as a donation in memory of Tony Kelly. They gave it in memory of Tony, but it’s for the entire town.”

He said the fire department now must get the appropriate training on the equipment. Murphy said the Pasadena fire department has agreed to spearhead the training.

“There’s a whole host of other legal liabilities involved as well,” Murphy said. “We have to be certified by a doctor once we receive the training, get yearly (updates).”

But Murphy said the fire department is willing to go through the paces, and is thankful for the defibrillator that could save a life.

“If somebody’s is going to be good enough to step forward and give us the piece equipment, then we’re going to do all we can to make sure that it’s used to its full capacity. Hopefully we never have to use it, just like the fire truck, but those things happen and when they do, hopefully there will be somebody around that can use it and hopefully save a life.”