The Saline County Health Department/Saline Medical Reserve Corps recently was awarded a Buckner Foundation grant request in the amount of $3,535.
According to a news release from Emergency Preparedness Planner Russ Donnell, the grant was awarded for the purchase of 12 professional adult CPR-monitored manikins ($1,669.44), 12 professional infant CPR-monitored manikins ($1,499.30) and 800 manikin lungs ($366.26).
In order to continue teaching the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support and Heartsaver CPR/AED classes, Donnell says instructors have to comply with the AHA new standard that all classes have to be taught utilizing monitored manikins. The new manikins monitor both the rate and depth of the CPR compressions.
The Saline Medical Reserve Corps functions under the umbrella of the Saline County Health Department and its mission is provide a reliable volunteer base to work any county emergency needing its assistance. It was determined there was a community need for low-cost CPR and First-Aid Training. The volunteer CPR instructors provide very affordable CPR and First-Aid Training to schools, local industries, churches, scouts, Civil Air Patrol, law enforcement, physician offices, child care providers, volunteer organizations active in disasters and others.
Donnell says without the assistance of the Buckner Foundation, a charitable organization established by the Charles M. Bucker Trust which benefits the residents of Saline County- and its generous donation, the Saline MRC would not be able to continue teaching CPR.
Pictured, left to right, are: MRC Nurses, Lisa Thomas, Mary Kay Donnell, Brenda Messerly and Liz Frerking. (Photo provided by Russ Donnell)