Oak Creek, Wis–June 9, 2026– The City of Oak Creek and the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District (OCFSD) hosted a news conference on Tuesday, June 9, celebrating the installation of more a dozen new outdoor automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at schools and community spaces throughout Oak Creek.

Thanks to a generous $30,770 donation from the Oak Creek Lions Club, 10 outdoor AEDs have been installed at OCFSD school campuses. 

“For more than 65 years, the Oak Creek Lions Club has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of those in need throughout our community. With the support of our Foundation, the Oak Creek Lions have proudly provided financial support for many initiatives that help make Oak Creek a better place to live, work, and play,” said Terry Tveita, Oak Creek Lions Club member.

“As a service organization, our motto is ‘We Serve,’ and Project ADAM’s AED initiative closely aligns with that mission. We are extremely proud to partner with the City of Oak Creek, the Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District, and other community organizations to help make Oak Creek a truly ‘Heart Healthy Community,’” Tveita added.

The City of Oak Creek recently installed two outdoor AEDs at Drexel Town Square and Lake Vista Park and is planning a third at Abendschein Park. The Oak Creek Health Department has also stocked each portable AED with Naloxone to treat accidental overdoses. 

“It’s so important to have these devices not only in public buildings, but in the outdoor spaces where residents gather to play and relax. It could literally mean the difference between life and death. This expansion helps ensure residents, students and visitors have greater access to life-saving resources when every second matters,” said Oak Creek Mayor Dan Bukiewicz.

The initiative supports the school district’s ongoing work with Project ADAM, a nationally recognized program that helps schools become heart-safe environments prepared to respond to sudden cardiac arrest emergencies. For the past two years, OCFSD has been working toward becoming a designated Heart Safe School through the program.

“When I first met with Jodi Wenzel, the Project ADAM WI- Program Coordinator at Children's Hospital, and started the journey to have all 10 of our buildings become Heart Safe Schools, I never expected it to lead to installing 12 Outdoor AEDs and creating a safer community,” said Lisa Reid, OCFSD Safety Coordinator.  “I’m humbled by the donor support and collaboration involved. It truly shows what a great community we live in and what we can do when we work together.”

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kelly Shoff
Marketing and Communications Manager
City of Oak Creek
kshoff@oakcreekwi.gov

Office: 414-766-7075
Mobile: 414-865-3987