Austin Volunteer Fire Department

As part of an on-going fire and EMS safety program with the Austin Volunteer Fire Company, department members Kathy Brooks and Andy Bothell have co-chaired the program to obtain funds to purchase three automated external defibrillators (AED) for placement in the Austin community.

Brooks stated “when a cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops abruptly with little or no warning.” Early recognition of cardiac arrest improves the person’s chance of survival and is key to starting the correct core of CPR and the appropriate use of the AED to restart the heart. CPR can help keep the heart pumping and blood flowing to vital organs until an electrical shock from an AED is available to restore the heart to a normal heart rhythm.

Bothell noted “many times cardiac arrests happen in public places and it is important to remember that as a bystander everyone’s actions can help.” Witnessing and responding to a cardiac arrest can be a very traumatic event. Having the right equipment available is much more reassuring to your community members in the event of an emergency. With today’s technology, an AED is very easy to use; anyone can operate it under any circumstance.

AED’s are intended for use by the general public—with or without specialized training.

They are easy to use by simply following the recorded voice which walks users through the instructions. Citizens need to know how to recognize cardiac arrest, call 911 and to retrieve the device, turn it on, follow directions and place pads. AED training does not have to be formal or lengthy. AED’s are not a substitute for calling 911 Brooks said, but it’s an important first step in saving the life of a cardiac arrest victim until first responders arrive.

Brooks said “future plans are to host AED/CPR/First Aid training for the community to increase their comfort and confidence if they are ever in an emergency situation. Having defibrillators that can be used with little or no training in public places is important in a rural community.”

Through the generosity of several businesses including the Austin VFW Post #7810, Perry Enterprise, Wharton Township, Austin Borough, Summit Township, Kightlinger Motors, AMP Global Strategies, Arcana F & AM Lodge 580, Austin Bingo and grants from Williams and the Firefighters Charitable Contribution Fund, three AED’s have been purchased and placed at the God’s Country Global Methodist churches in Austin and Keating Summit and the Austin Baseball field concession stand (during baseball season). AED’s are also available at the Austin Area School, the Austin Fire Station and on our local ambulances.

Brooks noted the average cost of an AED is $1,800 per unit. “As funds become available we hope to be able to place aed units in the Wharton/East Fork and the First Fork areas.” Anyone wishing to make a donation to our fire and ems safety program may do so by mailing contributions to AVFD, PO Box 328, Austin, PA 16720. Please be sure to mark your donation as “fire and ems safety program.”

AVFD’s objective is to provide the best possible emergency service to the people of the Austin Fire and EMS district and its surrounding communities to minimize suffering, loss of life and loss of property incurred by fire, accidents, disasters and medical emergencies. Our goal is emergency response with the highest qualify training and resources available and to promote public safety through hands-on training and education. To date, Bothell said AVFD has provided smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to all residents in it’s district. Once the AED project is complete, the department intends to acquire additional funds to provide carbon monoxide detectors to its residents. Brooks and Bothell thanks the community for their continued support and assistance in keeping our residents safe.

Pictured: AVFD members Kathy Brooks and Andy Bothell presenting an AED to Austin Baseball Association representative Crystal Fowler. The AED will be placed in the concession stand at the baseball field during the regular season (April through July). Coaches, parents, grandparents and community members are urged to attend future training. Anyone can, and should, use an AED in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. As seen at other sporting events, immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.