JCC received backing from Assemblyman Joseph Giglio to fund a one-time safety project by granting JCC an $8,000 2009-2010 member item to purchase and install six automated external defibrillators (AED) at its Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean. An AED was placed in each of the six buildings on campus.

John Sayegh, dean of the Cattaraugus County Campus stated, “JCC is fortunate to be the recipient of grant funds from Assemblyman Joe Giglio. He understands that in the rare occasions of heart-related emergencies on campus, it is essential that a defibrillator be accessible within a few minutes of a cardiac arrest. We appreciate Assemblyman Giglio’s help in making JCC a safer place for our student population, employees, and visitors.”

Additionally, JCC nursing faculty Andrea Turton, Jennifer Visbisky, and Laura Williams as well as JCC health center staff members coordinated and provided free training and certification of 36 employees in both AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation using American Heart Association guidelines.

"I am pleased to be able to provide support to JCC for the purchase of six automated external defibrillators for each building on the Olean campus,” said Giglio. “An AED has been used to save the life of at least one high school student in my Assembly district.

“AEDs are necessary to have on hand in an emergency, although I'm hopeful that they will not be used,” Giglio added. “JCC has trained many professionals to use the AED's should the need arise. The safety of the students and staff has been significantly improved, and for that I am happy to help."

The initiative was developed with information provided by local doctors Henry Storch, Michael Mitchell, Michael Bechelli, and Stephanie Keis Timblin of the Cattaraugus County Department of Health Emergency Medical Services and Kathi Peters of Southern Tier Emergency Medical System. A similar initiative is under way to equip the Jamestown Campus with funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Envisions RX.