ARLINGTON The memory of longtime Arlington firefighter Basil Davis was honored by his family at the Linda M. Byrnes Performing Arts Center June 8.
Jerry and Julie Davis, Basils son and daughter-in-law, have donated two automated external defibrillators to the Arlington Public Schools in his memory.
After discussing the location of the Arlington School Districts current AEDs with the district nurse, the Davis family requested that one AED be placed at the district administration building, while the other was installed at the APAC June 8.
We just asked which school buildings didnt have defibrillators yet, said Jerry Davis, who also plans to donate an AED to the district transportation office, thereby ensuring that every building in the district will be AED-equipped.
Arlington firefighter Doug Schmidt explained that each AED cost approximately $1,500, but estimated that AEDs normally run around $2,000.
We got these on sale, Schmidt said. Not many school districts in the state can say they have an AED in every single building. Various community groups, associations and individuals have made this possible, but this is our first AED in memory of someone.
As Jerry Davis affixed a nameplate in honor of his father on the AED case, he and Schmidt reminisced about Basil Davis more than 35 years of service as a volunteer with the Arlington Fire Department, many of which were spent on the ambulance crew.
Because of Basil Davis connections to the community and the fire department, his family wanted to do something in his memory that would benefit both, and they feel these AED donations would accomplish that goal.
Dad was never prouder than when he became the oldest active member of the Arlington Fire Department, Jerry Davis said. He wore that No. 1 with so much pride.