The first "save" has been recorded with the new defibrillator equipment being used by Mower County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

Tuesday, June 05, 2001

The first "save" has been recorded with the new defibrillator equipment being used by Mower County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

LeRoy contract deputy sheriff Neal Williams responded to a medical emergency at a LeRoy residence last week.

According to a report from Chief Deputy Terese Amazi, the LeRoy First Responder squad was on the scene at 10:38 p.m. Friday, where a 33-year-old man was reported to be unconscious and having difficulty breathing.

Williams applied his defibrillator equipment to the unconscious man after cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the LeRoy First Responders was unsuccessful and a pulse was detected where there previously had been none.

The man was transported by Mayo One air ambulance to St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, where he underwent surgery and remains hospitalized today.

According to Chief Deputy Amazi, the Sheriff’s Department has been using defibrillator equipment for three months. All personnel are undergoing training in the use of the equipment purchased with donations from local service clubs and other funds from the Mower County Board of Commissioners.

Williams was one of the first to complete the training.

The Sheriff’s Department has 11 defibrillators, including one in each patrol car and one held in reserve at the Austin-Mower County Law Enforcement Center.

According to Capt. Curt Rude of the Austin Police Department, city police officers have used the equipment since the mid-1990s.

He described it as a "very sophisticated piece of equipment" that is virtually "mistake-proof."

Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp said the department recently added three more units and he regards as a "very positive addition of equipment to our department."

Disaster hotline

John Diggins, a community relations officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is visiting Mower County communities today.

Diggins is promoting the use of a toll-free telephone number – (800) 462-9029 – for victims of severe winter storms, flooding and tornadoes beginning March 23.

By presidential declaration, Mower County was added to the list of counties eligible for state and federal disaster assistance May 29.

According to Diggins, it is imperative victims call the number to begin the process of obtaining assistance.

"If you don’t call that number, you’re not going to get anywhere with assistance," he said.

No disaster recovery centers will be established in the counties eligible for assistance.

By calling the toll-free FEMA number, victims will start a process that will include a visit by an authorized FEMA official to verify the disaster claim.

Diggins said there is disaster housing assistance, individual and family grant program assistance and disaster unemployment assistance available.

Also, he said the Small Business Administration offers home and personal property disaster loans as well as business disaster loans.

There is also tax and farm assistance.

Diggins visited with Bob Nelson, the Austin-Mower County emergency management director, before embarking on a countywide trip to visit each municipality and disseminate the information about the toll-free number that disaster victims must call.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.