PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — Peach County Emergency Medical Services is placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces throughout the county.
In Tuesday's commissioners meeting, county leaders accepted a donation from American Legion, Post 76 to fund the equipment. Peach County EMS Deputy Director Chad Davis said they're focusing on high impact areas, where large crowds gather.
According to data from the American Heart Association, 9 out of 10 cardiac arrest victims who receive a shock from an AED in the first minute live, so Davis says his department wants to make them more accessible to the public by adding a device in both North and South Peach Parks.
"We have a goal of expanding public access AEDS in the county, there's several in public areas such as the municipal center and Byron and the Fort Valley Utility Commission," Davis said. "We've got them at the board of commissioners office. We want to see those expand into private businesses, into churches, anywhere that people congregate or that there is a risk that somebody might go into cardiac arrest."
Bruce Mackey, Director of Peach County's Parks and Recreation Department, said he's all for the additional life-saving resources in the parks, adding the reason for him is personal.
"30 years ago, I was very fortunate to have personnel readily available to offer first aid to me," he said. "[I] had a cardiac arrest at a wrestling tournament and it would have been fitting that we had a AED device on hand at that time."
A device will also be equipped in Fort Valley's senior center, where Imogene Mobley said her seniors enjoy being active.
"We do have seniors who have heart conditions, heart problems and so this would be a very vital program for them to have it here at the center," Mobley said.
Davis said when emergency trucks are available, it usually takes their team eight to ten minutes to respond, so he encourages everyone to use an AED when someone nearby is experiencing sudden signs of cardiac arrest.
Davis said all three machines should be installed later this year. He also said his department is applying for more funding to expand their AED program, adding they're working toward a goal of training 20% of the county in hands-only CPR.
That's about one in five people who would be equipped to save a life.