Texas Community to Buy AEDs For Fire, Police Vehicles

Jan. 25--PALESTINE -- All City of Palestine fire trucks and police squad cars could soon have AEDs (automated external defibrillators) following a vote of the city council during Monday's regular meeting.

On Monday, council members heard a presentation from Matt Davis, a captain with the Palestine Fire Department, who indicated the Palestine Firefighters' Association was hoping to raise half of the funding to purchase three AEDs -- one for each engine company. The association was asking the city to chip in $3,500 or half of the total cost of the AEDs.

Davis told council members that the fire department used their current AED twice last year.

An AED is a portable device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias common to cardiac arrest and deliver an electrical shock to the heart in an attempt to restore a normal rhythm, according to Davis.

Palestine City Manager Mike Ohrt said he was "shocked" to learn all of the city's fire trucks were not already equipped with AEDs.

During discussion of the item, councilman Therrell Thomas, a former peace officer, said there were "probably very few incidents" where the fire department arrives at a scene before the police department. He then asked if monies were available to also provide all the city's squad cars with AEDs.

"If we could work that in," Thomas said during Monday's meeting, "I think it would be a valuable resource."

At minimum staffing levels, Ohrt said the police department has four officers per shift, indicating the city hopes to purchase a like number of AEDs to have one for every officer on shift.

The city manager indicated Monday that the AEDs and several other items, including issues at the city's treatment plant; improvements to city parks; and the purchase of a forklift, would be funded through the city's Capital Improvements Budget for current fiscal year 2011-12.

The capital improvements budget was created based on savings realized by the refinancing of some of the city's bond debt, Ohrt indicated.

In other business Monday, the council:

--APPROVED modification to the Finance Contract with Government Capital to stipulate that the city maintain a reserve fund in the amount of 20 percent of the debt balance.

--AWARDED bid to Dixon Construction for HOME Contract #1001277.

--APPROVED minutes of work session and regular meeting of Nov. 28, 2011.

--APPROVED resolution declaring support for the Stonebridge Place, Ltd. Joint Housing Tax Credit and Home Program Funds Application to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the year 2012.

--APPROVED resolution declaring support for the Stonebridge Place, Ltd., approving construction of the development and authorizing an allocation of Housing Tax Credits for the development.

--APPROVED an ordinance approving an amendment to Appendix A, Zoning, Article 16, relating to nonconformities adding Subsection 8, to allow a structure in a non-residential zone originally constructed as a residence to be used as a residence even though the residential use has not been continuous and an amendment to Subsection 5, restoration of nonconforming buildings.

--APPROVED ordinance approving budget amendments for fiscal year 2011-12.

--APPROVED allowing City Manager Mike Ohrt to participate in the Palestine Community Theatre's production of Sugar.

Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]