Centerville-Washington Park District’s (CWPD) mission is to deliver fun, healthy, and outstanding park experiences that connect the community with the outdoors. In the area of health and safety, park staff work to make sure medical emergencies are met with life-saving measures – even in outdoor spaces.
The park district has been working for several years to make life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) more accessible in the parks by collaborating with Firefighter Safe, a Dayton, Ohio company specializing in providing safety-related services, conducting training and designing hands-on products. The first AEDs were installed near park restrooms in 2017.
In 2025, CWPD and Firefighter Safe worked together to install a solar-powered AED cabinet at Forest Field Park. The solar-powered, self-contained cabinet provides an additional accessibility point for an AED while also protecting it from the elements within the cabinet’s temperature-controlled environment. Developed by Firefighter Safe, the innovation allows for AEDs in areas without traditional power access – like your parks. It is the first installation of its kind in the area.
“The Centerville-Washington Park District is proud to have been the first park agency in Ohio to install publicly accessible AEDs in our parks,” said Ken Carter, CWPD Park Operations Manager. “This new solar-powered unit allows for flexible placement in public spaces without the need for electrical infrastructure. They ensure that lifesaving technology is accessible where emergencies are most likely to occur – along trails and in other outdoor recreation areas.”
AEDs provide necessary life-saving technology to those experiencing a cardiac arrest. While cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at any time, visitors to CWPD community parks are often participating in strenuous activities – including hiking, jogging, biking, athletic games and more. Therefore, access to this equipment is essential to increasing the chances of survival.
The installation of AEDs across the Park District aligns with the goals of Ohio House Bill 47, improving emergency preparedness and response across the state, including in public sports and recreation venues. AEDs can be found in several CWPD parks, including Activity Center, Bill Yeck, Forest Field, Grant, Iron Horse, Oak Creek South, Oak Grove, Robert F. Mays, Schoolhouse, and Yankee Parks. CWPD staff are regularly certified in CPR, and all AEDs are inspected regularly to ensure they are in working order.
Learn more about the use of AEDs by CWPD >
The Washington Township Fire Department has played a vital role in helping our community with resources that save lives. Visit their website for training opportunities. The public can also download the PulsePoint AED App that provides an interactive map of AED locations near you at all times.
In 2026, the United States of America is commemorating its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of the celebration, America 250-Ohio is coordinating the unique events and experiences across Ohio’s 88 counties that play a role in crafting the state’s impact on American History. The Centerville-Washington Park District is joining the celebration by highlighting significant historical and community-building events within your park district that align with America 250-Ohio’s mission. February’s theme is Innovation and Industry. Since its earliest days of statehood, Ohio has long been a center of manufacturing and industry, leading the nation in many industrial achievements.