After hearing the story of a , many who listened may have been moved beyond words, except for one young man who was moved to action.
Alex Pohlmann, a Boy Scout and student at Kings Park High School, was recounting how he was inspired to take on the service project that will make him an Eagle Scout.
“I was at my cousin’s graduation from Comeswogue High School last year and two coaches came on to the stage and they told a story of when they saved a young basketball player’s life. They did it with an AED,” said Pohlmann. “I thought to myself, that would be a good project.”
Automatic external defibrillators are inside school buildings within the district, but there are none on the fields. . The town later and is in the process of accepting a donation of AED machines from Kings Park Youth for use at Memorial Field.
Pohlmann thought of his own school and the lack of availability of the life saving devices and so he made a call to the school district.
“He came forth about a year ago to speak with me about a program that would benefit the Kings Park School District," said Phil Kenter, assistant superintendent for finance.
Pohlmann will take donated, retired postal boxes and turn them into secure cabinets to house the AED units.
“We started talking to the school district and the superintendent. We were getting ideas to call companies, but then I came to the conclusion to use retired mailboxes,” said Pohlmann, who said he got the idea from seeing them at the Hauppauge school district.
“When I went to Hauppauge I saw they used the mailboxes, which are painted and the AED is inside and locked.”
Pohlmann said his original plan was to do just two boxes, but then an additional three were donated.
A box will be placed at five of the schools in the district, including the high school, middle school and the San Remo administration property.
Polhmann, who is AED and CPR certified, began raising money to purchase the AED units that will be stored in the boxes.
"I had a car wash and got donations and such from the community," said Pohlmann. “Once I finish my training, I will install the boxes myself and then I am practically done,”
Polhmann expects to be done by the end of the school year.
"You did a terrific job," board member, Marie Goldstein said at a recent board meeting. "Let us know what we need to do to help you while you continue to help us," she said.
