By Iris Vacante
Times-Picayune
MADISONVILLE, La. — Thanks to a generous donation from the Home Builders Association, the Madisonville Garden Club, Delta College and a local registered nurse and nursing instructor, Madisonville police officers are more prepared to save lives.
On Dec. 29-30, Lora Haddox, a certified CPR instructor for the American Heart Association, volunteered her services to certify Madisonville police officers in cardio pulmonary resuscitation and to use the automatic external defibrillators.
“All the officers are certified in basic life support for health care providers. They are trained for adult, child and infant. They also learned to use the automatic external defibrillators by actually practicing with it. These devices can be the difference between life and death,” Haddox said.
The Madisonville Police Department received four life-saving defibrillators from the St. Tammany Home Builders Association that were placed in patrol cars for emergency use.
Haddox, a nursing instructor, said the group covered more than just CPR.
“We went into emergency first aid. We covered chest trauma, seizures, hypoglycemia, stroke, heart attack, head injuries and emergency childbirth.”
Officer Steve Stark said he was happy to have the training and to be able to carry a defibrillator in his patrol car.
“You never know when you are going to need something like that. I also found it interesting to learn the signs of illnesses and how some are very similar. A person suffering from hypoglycemia can show the same signs as a person who is drunk. By learning specifically what to look for, we may avoid the chance of bring a suspected drunk to jail when in fact he needs medical assistance,” Stark said.
Haddox, a Madisonville resident, said Delta College of Covington provided the equipment that enabled her to train the officers and that the Madisonville Garden Club is paying for the certification cards for the officers.
“All of our officers were very eager to learn how to best stabilize a person in need of medical attention until a paramedic backup arrives. They really do go above and beyond what is required because they care so much about our community and the people that live here,” she said.
The Madisonville Youth Boosters’ yearly election for the board of directors vacancies drew a crowd on Jan. 4.
The Coquille Sports Complex gymnasium was packed with members interested in the election. More than 180 ballots were cast in the election that allowed each candidate to hold a short forum. Vacancies included the presidency, which was unopposed, as well as secretary and directorships for baseball and football leagues.
Bobby Couvillion will be president of the youth boosters organization. Couvillion has served as a board member for the United Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy Association of Louisiana and two homeowner associations. He has been married for 20 years to his wife, Laura Couvillion, and has two sons, Cole and Luke.
“I have always been committed not only to helping my own children but other children with social interaction skills developed through organized sports and teamwork,” Couvillion said.
Couvillion added that faith, family and education are his family’s top three priorities.
With more than 1,200 children playing in year-round sports at Coquille, Couvillion said he is hoping to get more parents to attend general membership meetings held each month so the board can address any concerns they may have.
The park has seen continued growth since opening and now has four, full-time employees. They are Bill Trepagnier, park director; Jim Bouey, administrative assistant; Andrew Ostendorf, grounds keeper; and Tiffany Robichaux, who was recently hired as the office administrator.
Couvillion said a new construction phase will begin in March to develop the adjoining 80 acres acquired by the park. Construction will include a nature walk, fishing pond and playground for children.
“We have such a jewel in the rough at Coquille. The parish has been wonderful helping us. We also plan to develop adult sports such as volleyball and softball,” Couvillion said.
Couvillion replaces Scott Camp, who was president for one year.
Tammy Keyes Lewis rejoins the board as secretary. Lewis previously was basketball director. Also re-elected to the board were Brian Murray, baseball director, and Jason Huff, football director.
Board members whose seats were not challenged are Jeff Tircuit, vice president; Craig Sutton, treasurer; Bill Trepagnier, softball director, Scott Shakelford, soccer director; Dawn Whitecotton cheerleading director; Leon Pecoraro, at large; and Danny Drago, at large.