Rell, Coutu Hail Signing of Defibrillator Bill at Norwich Free Academy

NORWICH — Larry Pontbriant waved the blue folder overhead triumphantly after the governor handed it to him, signifying the culmination of an effort to help save the lives of others. Inside was legislation, a law that makes automatic external defibrillators available in schools while ensuring that at least two staff members are trained to use them.

Pontbriant and his wife, Evelyn, pushed to get the legislation passed after the 2007 death of their 15-year-old son, Larry. He collapsed on a run, and there was no AED on site. He he died a few days later in the hospital. Shortly thereafter, his parents established a memorial fund to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and the purchase of AEDs for schools and athletic facilities.

Rep. Christopher Coutu joined several state lawmakers at Norwich Free Academy today in watching Gov. M. Jodi Rell sign the bill. Rell told the crowd, including many students, that the legislation just made sense.

“The governor signing this bill means a lot to the hundreds of people in the future who are going to have someone in their family be saved by an AED,” Coutu said.

After the ceremony, Coutu, who represents a section of Norwich, chatted with students, parents and teachers about the legislative process that turned the Pontbriants’ hard work into the bill Rell signed before the crowd.

The law requires that a school board have an AED in each school in its jurisdiction if funding is available. It also allows school boards to accept gifts, donations and grants to pay for the equipment and training. The Governor also signed companion bill, Senate Bill 1089, which reduces liability issues for AED users.

“I’m proud to have played a small role in making this a reality,” Coutu said.

Pictured above: Rep. Christopher Coutu along with students Mellissa LaParne, Alexis Seder, Allison Gould, Marissa Malauf, Hanna Cherian and their instructor, Ms. Binder.