ATHENS-Tuesday, September 3rd, Athens Fire and Rescue and the Athens Recreation Department received money to purchase nine automated external defibrillators.
The AEDs, pediatric pads and training on use of the equipment will cost $12,163.
The new AEDs will be compatible with the AEDs that Athens-Limestone Hospital uses, which means firefighters will not have to remove the device and attach a different one at the hospital.
Sen. Bill Holtzclaw and Rep. Dan Williams gave the $12,163 to the two city departments during a presentation at the Sportsplex, where two of the devices will be kept.
Recreation Director Ben Wiley said the Sportsplex has two concession stands, and each now will be equipped with the device.
“There are hundreds of children, parents and grandparents and others from the community who use the Sportsplex, especially during tournaments, and this will help our staff be prepared if we ever have an emergency and need to shock someone,” Mayor Ronnie Marks said.
The other seven devices will replace aging defibrillators for Athens Fire and Rescue’s trucks and engines, Chief Tony Kirk said.
“It is getting harder and harder to get pads to operate our aging devices,” Kirk said. “This will allow us to have the equipment we need to service the public.”
In February, an automated external defibrillator was used at Athens High School after a man had an apparent heart attack during the Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge.
“We appreciate Sen. Holtzclaw and Rep. Williams assisting us in the purchase of this equipment that can save lives,” Kirk said.
Holtzclaw and Williams provided the funds from TVA in-lieu-of tax money that they distribute based on community need.
