The “little hero bears,” pictured here with Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) first responders, were donated by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company’s Big Hero Little Hero program. The stuffed animals will provide extra comfort to Vashon’s youngest ambulance patients, said Fire Chief Matt Vinci.

The district also recently announced that in coordination with the Sam Yates Community Foundation (Thumbsupfoundation.org), it is working to locate all Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on Vashon. An AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart. AEDs work in conjunction with CPR, not instead of CPR.

If you have an AED or know where one is located, fill out an online form at tinyurl.com/yckhbxr6.