The Alpena Fire Department and its private-sector partners encourage nonprofits, churches, and businesses to invest in automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, that can save the life of a customer or employee in case of a heart emergency.

“A person’s chance of survival goes down by 10% with every minute that passes without care,” Andy Marceau, Alpena Fire Department community risk reduction captain, told News staff writer Steve Schulwitz for a recent story. “So, if it takes 10 minutes, the chance of survival is almost nil. An AED is what makes the difference. You can do the best CPR, but you have to have an AED.”

The Fire Department and the companies with which it’s partnered are offering top-of-the-line AED devices for a discounted $1,500, which works out to about $100 a year for the 15-year life expectancy of the device.

“Is $100 a year a value to put this in your business if it can save a customer or employee’s life?” Tim Ketelhut, senior business development manager for the firm Team Life, told Schulwitz. “I think it is.”

The devices speak to users and walk users through the process of setting up and administering the shock that can restart a heart or walk users through the process of administering CPR.

We know $1,500 might be a lot for some organizations to swing, but we think it could be a wise investment — especially for organizations in the farthest reaches of the county, where it could take longer for emergency medical help to arrive.

We urge every business to search their pocketbooks and see if they can invest in the AED devices or take part in CPR training being offered by the Fire Department.

You never know when that upfront investment might save a life.