The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Staff Photo by Morris Stephenson:
Bill Jacobsen, from left, Brooke Anderson, Chris Whitlow and Daryl Hatcher were instrumental in obtaining funds for AEDs for placement in public facilities throughout the county. |
Friday, February 12, 2010
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer
The Franklin County Department of Public Safety has received a $72,075 federal grant that will enable the department to purchase another 43 automated external defibrillators (AED) for placement in public areas around the county.
"We are one of the few rural areas that already has AEDs in most public buildings in the county," said Safety Operations Division Chief Billy Ferguson. "This grant will enable us to expand access to these life-saving devices."
AEDs are portable electronic devices that are used to diagnose arrhythmias and gently shock the heart to prevent cardiac arrest, Ferguson said. "A quick shock to the heart greatly enhances survival rates in arrhythmia patients."
"These AEDs are designed to be easy to use," he said, "so people with minimal training can begin resuscitation prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel."
The new defibrillators will be placed in Rocky Mount and Ferrum College police cars, the new government center, The Free Clinic of Franklin County, Department of Aging Services, STEP, Department of Social Services, Franklin County Recreation Park and Waid Park, Ferguson said.
Seventeen additional AEDs will be given to the school system to use where they are most needed, Ferguson added.
The devices are already in schools, government buildings, like the library and Franklin Center, and Franklin County Sheriff's Department police cars.
The grant application was a collaborative effort between Franklin County and Henry County public safety departments and Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital (CFMH), which provided the grant writer. The $99,900 award is one of only five in the nation provided through the Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Access to Emergency Services Program, Ferguson said.
"This public-private partnership with Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital is allowing us to provide these devices in more public buildings and police cars at no cost to the taxpayers," Ferguson said. "These devices will enhance our ability to deliver services to our citizens more effectively."
"The county is grateful to the staff of Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital for their assistance in preparing and securing the grant," said Daryl Hatcher, Franklin County director of public safety.
In addition to the AEDs, funds from the grant will be used for CPR-AED training courses for the public. Interested persons should contact public safety at 540-483-3091. |
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