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Nov. 28--Like other first responders to accident scenes, Daviess County sheriff's deputies are required to know how to provide first aid, administer CPR and use an automated external defibrillator if needed. Deputies must be certified to perform life-saving techniques such as CPR every two years by the American Heart Association.
In the past, the sheriff's department would pay an organization such as the American Red Cross to provide recertification classes for deputies. But the classes were sometimes difficult to coordinate, Lt. Barry Smith said.
"We were struggling to find the time and people to train us," Smith said. With deputies working three shifts, finding time when deputies could attend a class with an outside instructor was difficult.
This month, when it was time for sheriff's deputies to be recertified in CPR and first aid, Smith approached the Daviess County Fire Department, which has several instructors certified to teach CPR by the American Heart Association.
"They worked out classes that limited our overtime," Smith said. "They helped us at no charge; all we had to do is pay for the (certification) cards. We have one more class scheduled for next Monday, then all of our staff will be recertified."
Harvey Henderson, fire inspector for the fire department, said the department has eight members who are certified to teach CPR.
"It's not that the American Red Cross doesn't do a good job, but we can do the same thing,"Henderson said.
Deputies are often called to scenes where they might be needed to perform first aid or CPR until EMTs or paramedics arrive, Henderson said.
The training is being done during each of the sheriff's departments three shifts.
"There are 40-some people" to be trained, including court security officers, Henderson said. "We're trying to spread it out a little bit."
As part of the training, the deputies practiced CPR on dummies of both adults and infants. Providing the training for the sheriff's deputies is a form of public service, Henderson said.
"It's good for our instructors to do it," Henderson said.
James Mayse, 691-7303, [email protected]
