First Responders Receive Grant, Seek AEDs
July 28, 2022
By Gina Vineyard
Powder River First Responders recently received a $3,000 grant from the Powder River Community Endowment Fund to help replace pads and batteries in local AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) around the county.
I am asking for anyone in the community or local areas (Powderville, Otter Creek, Boyes, Biddle, Sonnette) that has an AED to please contact me at 307-331-8935, or any other active EMT in Broadus. I would like to start compiling a list of AEDs and the necessary information to help us know what is eligible for replacement, specifically the expiration date on the batteries and the life saving defibrillation pads needed for each unit.
The Powder River First Responders has been an organization for 9 years, and has made huge strides in providing medical services here in Powder River County. Through previous grants we have been supplied with equipment that most small services do not generally have available to them. An example of this equipment is Hands-only CPR, which has been introduced to the community with the assistance of grants. This also allowed for the purchase of a select number of AEDs that have been placed throughout the county.
The current grant that we were graciously awarded in conjunction with $3,000 matching funds from Powder River First Responders will give us a total of $6,000 to purchase replacement pads and batteries to bring the AED machines that are spread out in the community up to compliance standards. If we come across machines that are no longer supported, we will certainly add them to the list and see what we can do to possibly help replace them.
The total cost of this project has yet to be determined. Replacement pads can range from $65-$180. Pad with batteries can be $350-$400, and if a machine has to be replaced you can figure on $800-$1,750.00. Every citizen in the county, our neighbors, as well as every traveler that comes and goes through our community could potentially benefit from this opportunity. Success will be measured by the number of AEDs that we service, fix or replace and if a life is saved. Although, we hope that is never a circumstance that anyone has to face.
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