Copyright 2001 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel...06/06/2001
LAURIA LYNCH-GERMAN of the Journal
Sentinel staff
West Bend -- Through the generosity of several area groups, Washington County sheriff’s deputies have a new way to save lives.
Automated external defibrillators, purchased recently with donated money, are the latest tools in emergency medical care and should be available in county squad cars by the end of the month.
The department’s deputies have been trained to use the error-proof device, Sheriff Jack Theusch said. He said donations to buy the devices totaled $ 26,000. Washington County made available $ 11,400, and the department was able to buy 17 units.
“I think it’s great,” Theusch said. “Many times in the county our deputies are the first ones on the scene. For lifesaving techniques to be effective, they have to be started within the first 5 minutes.”
The groups that donated money and the amounts were: West Bend Noon Rotary ($ 2,500), Germanfest/Downtown Business Association ($ 2,500), Richfield Lions Club ($ 3,000), St. Luke’s Lutheran Church/AAL ($ 8,000), Rotary Inner Wheel Club ($ 6,000), Washington County Lions Club ($ 2,000) and Washington County Soccer League ($ 2, 000).
Theusch said that without the groups that donated money, his department would not have been able to start the program.
“People are still contacting us expressing an interest in seeing a presentation on the machines, " he said.
He added that the department needed eight or nine more units to place in squad cars.
Sheriff’s Department Capt. Dale Schmidt said many of the deputies had been a little nervous about the machines.
“After training, they were feeling a lot more comfortable with the machines,” he said.
The machines walk deputies through the a series of voice commands. The machine then monitors heart rate and pulse. If required, it tells the rescuer to push a single button that sends a shock to the victim’s heart.
If a shock isn’t warranted, the machine will not administer one. Meanwhile, the deputy will continue to do CPR until medical personal can arrive.
Schmidt said the machines can provide valuable medical information to hospital emergency rooms evaluating a patient.
“The information the machine uses to determine if a shock is appropriate is stored in the machine,” he said. “Doctors can download that information and use it as a form of quick historical record on what has happened with the patient.”
Deputy Jay Karsten, a member of the department’s Courthouse security detail, said he was amazed at the simplicity of the machines.
“They are so easy to use,” he said. “I think it is a good idea for us to have them here and in the squads. The machine talks you through the whole process. It’s impossible to make a mistake.”
Three machines will be placed in the county courthouse and one in the jail.
Jenni Hanson, with the Rotary Inner Wheel Club, said her group became aware of other fund-raising efforts to pay for the defibrillators.
“We decided it would be a great contribution to the community,” she said. “All of the money we raise goes either to local causes or nationally to help children.”
Hanson said the group was small -- with seven active members -- but they worked hard toward their goals. Last year, the group donated money to pay for a thermal imaging unit for the local fire department.
“It’s very rewarding for our group that all the hard work goes to help others,” she said.
For information on purchasing defibrillators for your department please email customerservice@policeone.com or call 800-717-1199.