Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new SaveStation at Lighthouse Point

Published on May 12, 2026

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for new AED & SaveStation at Lighthouse Point

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Community members are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., marking the installation of a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and SaveStation at Lighthouse Point, one of Santa Cruz's most beloved and heavily-visited locations along West Cliff. The new station will provide immediate access to an AED, dramatically improving emergency cardiac response capability at this popular public destination.

A new non-profit initiative, Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz, helped to coordinate the AED and SaveStation donations. The Santa Cruz Fire Department has partnered with this initiative, co-founded by Santa Cruz resident Hilary Gates. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone. Every second counts when SCA occurs and starting CPR immediately with using an AED can increase survival rates by 40-75%.

“Installing a SaveStation at Lighthouse Point is about protecting the people who make Santa Cruz so special — the surfers, the families, the visitors who come here every day. We want everyone to know that help is available if they need it,” said City of Santa Cruz Fire Department Fire Chief Rob Oatey.

In an emergency, bystanders and first responders will now have access to this critical equipment before professional medical services arrive.

The SaveStation Tower was donated by Deb Henning from Action First Aid and the AED was donated by Jeremy Gruber with RescueOne.

Event Details

What: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony — SaveStation & AED Installation

When: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

Where: Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, California