Holden Fire Dept. Gifted Funds For Lifesaving Devices
Tara Martley
Contributor, Holden Fire Dept.
Life Saving Equipment Donors Thanked… After making donations to the Holden Fire Department for life-saving AED equipment, several of the donors appeared with an appreciative HFD Chief, Mike Wakeman. Pictured (from left, above right) Chief Wakeman and donor Aaron Hynds and (from left, above), Chief Wakeman with, Darcy Roach and Mike Mahin (representing Homes By Darcy), and Asst. Fire Chief Brian Martley. Photo • Submitted
Recently, the Holden Fire Department decided that they needed to update the one AED that they had. These are very costly.
Since this was such an expense for a necessary, lifesaving piece of equipment, Holden Fire Department decided to reach out to the community. On the very first day of posting on Facebook, HFD received an donation of $1,400.00 from an anonymous donor! Soon to follow, were Aaron Hynds, and Homes By Darcy. With the three donations, HFD was able to purchase not one, but FOUR AEDs, and extra pads for each. This means that both engines have an AED, as well as Car 200, which is used for medical calls, and the fourth in house.
It is great to have them on the engines, in case of someone collapsing at a fire scene, etc. It would only take a minute to grab and use, while waiting for EMS. Holden Fire Department would like to thank (again and again!) all who made this possible, at NO cost the fire department. Our community will be covered if ever there is an emergency that requires an AED.
Why the importance?
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is not the same as a heart attack. Heart attack victims usually experience chest pain and are conscious.
SCA victims usually collapse suddenly, without warning, and become unconscious. SCA can lead to death if it is not treated immediately.
Victims of sudden cardiac arrest who collapse in public places are more likely than those who collapse at home to receive CPR and defibrillation.
The rationale for widespread placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is this: electrical therapy must be delivered immediately to victims of sudden cardiac arrest (ideally less than five minutes after collapse) for it to be effective.
