The Milford Rotary Club partnered with In a Heartbeat Foundation to donate an automated external defibrillator to the Milford Arts Council Thursday.

AEDs help re-establish heart rhythms to people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.

Once someone turns it on, the machine gives step-by-step instructions telling people exactly what to do.

In a Heartbeat is dedicated to providing AEDs to schools, churches and nonprofits.

It was founded by Mike Papale, the Fairfield Prep boys basketball coach, who had his life saved by a machine when he had a heart attack at 17.

Papale tells News 12 that it's important people know how to respond because the first few minutes someone suffers cardiac arrest are crucial.