There was a little resistance Monday night at the Great Bend City Council meeting, but the motion eventually passed 5-2 to purchase 10 Automatic External Defibrillators for city occupied buildings.
AEDs can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm during a cardiac arrest or heart attack.
The purchase will come from Zoll Medical for $15,460.41.
Council member Dana Dawson felt the AEDs were a good idea but questioned the need for so many considering the cost, but the motion was passed following the vote taken by Mayor Dr. Mike Allison.
Dana Dawson Audio
The plan will install nine AEDs at the Street Department, Police Department, Police Shooting Range, airport terminal, zoo, cemetery, City Hall, the Front Door office, and a mobile unit at special events. The city currently has two AEDs that were purchased in August for the Events Center and pool.
Dawson questioned spending money on an AED for City Hall with the fire department next door with EMTs, but Great Bend Fire Chief Luke McCormick says that is only okay if the fire department is not on a call.
Luke McCormick Audio
McCormick says the AEDs and the batteries last roughly five years. The city will maintain the units. The funding will be absorbed from each department’s operation budget.