Carrie Hargett, Staff Writer
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
DALTON, Ga. — Whitfield County will purchase 21 defibrillators to place in county buildings in hopes of preventing death during a medical emergency.
The idea came from a local resident who approached a county commissioner earlier this year and suggested investing in defibrillators — machines that use electric shock to restart a heart that’s in cardiac arrest.
Bystanders could use the device in an emergency if medical personnel were not available, fire Chief Carl Collins said.
After research, the County Commission approved the purchase of 21 defibrillators costing $1,150 a piece, Commissioner Leo Whaley said.
“I think it’s a very worthwhile project,” Chief Collins said. “With a heart attack, seconds count.”
The defibrillators can be used by almost anyone because they come with instructions and how-to pictures, Mr. Whaley said. Also, a number of people who work in county buildings will be selected to be trained on using the machines.
“The people we are buying them from ... will send out someone to show us how these things work,” the commissioner said.
Though some will be trained, the public would not have to have any special training to use the defibrillator and potentially save a life, Chief Collins said. He said all emergency personnel, however, are trained and certified in their use.
He said the only downside is that some people may be afraid or too nervous to use it in an emergency situation. But most county buildings have a security guard or an employee who will be able to use it, he said.
Defibrillators will be installed on each floor of the courthouse, the annex, the judicial building, the public works building, animal shelter and the recreation department offices, Chief Collins said.
The fire department has one on every truck, and their defibrillators have lasted more than 10 years.
The new defibrillators are self-maintaining and may be used on adults or children, Chief Collins said. The technology in them will also let you know if a person’s heart needs to be shocked.
“They will not shock someone who doesn’t need to be shocked,” he said.
Mr. Whaley said the defibrillators should be installed within the next few months.