Local Law Enforcement Agencies Provided Training On New AEDs

 

WAYNE – Over the course of three years, local law enforcement agencies across Nebraska will be receiving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

According to a release from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded the DHHS a $6.4 million grant.

Over the past three weeks training sessions were held across the state as the Nebraska AED Initiative visited the Wayne Fire Hall where 12 agencies were represented Friday morning.

The first hour of the training session focused on background information by Tim Wilson, Program Director for Emergency Health Systems while Eric Holt, a field clinical specialist for Stryker led the training segment.

Friday morning was the final training of about three weeks, according to Wilson.

“Almost all the law enforcement agencies across the state we’ve been able to touch base with them,” said Wilson. “We’ve got a few people that we’re moving over to year two just because of staffing issues. But it’s been really well received and it’s been a great opportunity.”

Approximately 2,400 AED’s will be distributed this year with another 105 scheduled for 2022 specifically designated to law enforcement agencies.

Law enforcement agencies represented Friday were Dakota, Dixon, Kimball and Wayne County; Emerson, Laurel, South Sioux City, Wayne and Winnebago Police along with the communities of Scribner, Hooper and Dodge/Snyder.

This is a great opportunity for the community as Wilson added local law enforcement agencies are the first ones on scene.

“When they see someone or if there is someone in cardiac arrest being that first one, the first ones to start CPR, the first one to deliver that shock,” Wilson added. “It just cuts down that risk, it increases the survival time or rates for someone experiencing a cardiac arrest.”

The final hour was made for the law enforcement agencies to go over the technical aspect of the device while connecting with Wi-Fi as well as the warranty and supporting information with the devices.

The AEDs will be shipped in a few weeks to the law enforcement agencies.

The Emergency Health Systems department of DHHS will next keep up with program evaluation.

“We also have some other education opportunities that we’re going to continue more geared towards years two and three of our grant,” Wilson mentioned. “To make sure that they just get hands-on training and repeated exposure to it so they can build that muscle memory on how to use these machines.”

Visit dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Emergency-Health-Systems.aspx for more information.

Share:
Comments