Kellyton ambulance to get CPR compression machine
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
An ambulance with Kellyton Fire and Rescue will soon have a helpful new piece of equipment thanks to action taken by the Kellyton Town Council.
During Tuesday evening’s meeting, Kellyton Fire Chief Jerry Sewell presented information to the council about a Stryker machine that would perform CPR compressions in emergency situations. The chest compression system machine is designed to deliver high-performance and continuous chest compressions with less strain, micromanagement and risk for the caregiver.
Sewell reviewed information with the council and noted how beneficial the machine would be to Kellyton Fire and Rescue.
He mentioned that the machine would cost approximately $18,000, or approximately $19,000 with a spare battery and automated external defibrillator, or AED.
Later in the meeting, the council unanimously approved using $20,000 from COVID-19 relief funds to go to one of the town’s ambulances for the purchase of one Stryker chest compression system, spare battery and AED.
Sewell said that upon receiving the equipment the AED will be donated to the town for use at Town Hall and the Kellyton Civic Complex.
In other action items, the council also unanimously approved hosting the town’s annual Christmas Celebration this year, with the event to be held the first Saturday in December.
It also unanimously approved accepting a bid of $800 to paint the ceilings and entrance of the Civic Complex.
Also during the meeting, Dennis Hill, chair and operations manager of the Coosa County Animal Shelter, addressed the council with information about the animal shelter and progress being made to make it a reality.
Hill reviewed the history of the shelter and efforts made thus far, with monetary donations being needed to enable the shelter to officially open. He explained that their fundraising blitz kicked off recently and is ongoing.
Once the fundraising goal of $70,000 is reached, he said they will begin work on the building site and hopefully open the shelter for business this fall. The fundraising goal is for startup costs and two years of operating expenses.
Hill said he is now visiting all three municipalities in the county to ask for help with funds for the shelter, with him having already visited the Goodwater and Rockford town councils last month. He said he plans to visit the County Commission again next week to provide updates and see what assistance the county may be able to provide.
He added that the board has also applied for a grant from Verizon. However, he noted that many grants are not for startup, but rather for maintenance, meaning there are grants the shelter could apply for once established but not currently.
Following Hill’s presentation, the council said it would discuss the matter and see what the town may be able to do to help.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Kellyton Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. July 5.
