Gwinnett County Receives Heart DeviceBy The WeeklyGwinnett commissioners Tuesday night accepted the donation of an automatic external defibrillator, known as an AED, from the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association of Greater Atlanta. Fire and Emergency Services' spokesman Capt. Tommy Rutledge said he worked with Lisa Williams, a registered nurse at the VA Hospital in Atlanta, who called him offering the donation. He said, "Sudden cardiac arrest kills a quarter million people a year in the United States. Survival chances increase by more than 50 percent if the victim gets debrillation treatment within five minutes." The $1,327 device will be given to the Fire Explorer Cadets who help provide first aid stations at various public events under the direction of County paramedics. The Cadets are students, ages 14 to 19, with an interest in pursuing careers in fire and emergency services. |