Catoosa Fire gets a grant for CPR
♦ The money will be used to buy masks to give to those participating in free CPR classes. The next class is set for Dec. 11.
Catoosa County commissioners have approved acceptance of a grant that will allow the fire department to continue its efforts to education the public on CPR.
During the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 6, Fire Chief Randy Camp explained that his department was recently awarded a $500 grant for the second year in a row.
“We are recipients of the Tennessee American Water Grant, and we’re asking you to amend the budget for $500 so we can take the grant and purchase what we purchased last year,” Camp said.
With last year’s grant funds, the department was able to purchase CPR masks that were given to residents who participated in one of the free CPR classes that were offered.
“This is a device for teaching the community CPR,” Camp said. “It eliminates the body fluids from the caregiver or the person conducting CPR to the patient itself. The cost for 200 of them is right around $500.”
Camp says the classes and last year’s inclusion of the masks went a long way in helping to educate the public.
“Last year, we conducted several CPR classes and certified 283 citizens to do CPR and we gave out over 200 of these (masks),” Camp said. “This is something they can keep in their vehicle, keep it at work, or keep it some place readily accessible. It’s something you can keep with you all the time. Hopefully you won’t ever have to use it, but if you do, it’s nice to have it there.”
Camp says the mask offers a little incentive for those who might have some trepidation about helping out a stranger.
“Over the years, one thing people are reluctant to do is CPR or mouth-to-mouth on someone they don’t know,” Camp said. “This is a nice little tool to help solve from catching something.”
Commissioners unanimously approved amending the fire department’s budget to include the grant.
The next scheduled free CPR class will take place Dec. 11 at Fire Station 1 on Evitt Street behind the Ringgold Depot.
The department can also schedule fire extinguisher or CPR classes for neighborhoods, churches, offices, and other organizations per request. Interested parties can contact Lt. Zac Steele at 706-935-2001 for inquiries.
Catoosa County detectives are investigating an entering auto case involving the theft of a handgun from a vehicle, police say.
According to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, the theft occurred sometime during the night of Nov. 8 or the morning of Nov. 9 at a residence on Cherokee Valley Road.
The victim filed a report at the Sheriff’s office after discovering that his .380-calibur Smith & Wesson handgun was taken by someone who entered his GMC Sierra pickup truck, reports show.
The victim was unable to immediately provide serial number information for the stolen weapon, but he did admit that the truck was left unsecured during the time the incident occurred.
Anyone with information about the theft or the missing gun is encouraged to contact Detective Johnny Cunningham at the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.