Press release submitted by Smith County EMS & 911 Director Jeff Crockett
(L to R) EMS & 911 Director Jeff Crockett, County Mayor Jeff Mason, Sheriff Steve Hopper, Chief Deputy Eugene Roberts
In March of 2018, Smith County EMS was able to procure Grant Funding to purchase 21 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to distribute to Law Enforcement Agencies in Smith County including the 3 Cities as well as adding some for our County Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs). This was done with the hope of being able to decrease the response time in the County to Cardiac Related Emergencies. Since it’s inception, 100’s of calls have been responded to by Law Enforcement and EMRs who were carrying AEDs, and within these calls, the rapid response of Responders with AEDs have made a difference many times in the outcome of the patients situation.
Governor Lee made available, earlier this year, Local Government Support Grant funding for every CountyFEMR in the State, based on population, which was “no match” funding, which means no local tax dollars had to be used, this was 100% funded by the State. After speaking with Mayor Jeff Mason about the possibility of using some of this funding to purchase additional AEDs, he made the decision to take it to the County Commission for approval. With the approval by the County Commission, we were able to purchase 13 additional AEDs to be distributed to the Sheriff’s Department. The first purchase in 2018, only allowed us to distribute 8 AEDs to the Sheriff’s Department, with the others needed in the 3 Cities and for EMRs. With only 8 available, the Sheriff’s Department had to share the 8 among the Deputies on different shifts, which means .that not every Patrol Unit was able to carry one. The addition of the 13 will allow every Road Deputy as well as the Administrative Road Staff to have an AED in their Patrol Unit at all times, which will only further decrease the response time for Cardiac Related Emergencies. We want to thank Sheriff Steve Hopper and his Administrative Staff as well as· all of his Deputies for being willing to take the training, which is provided by Smith County EMS employees at no cost to the Sheriff’s Department if needed, carry these and respond with EMS on these calls. This just proves that all Emergency Service Departments in Smith County are willing to work together in any way to achieve the same goal, provide the best service we al possibly can for the Citizens of Smith County.
I want to also thank Mayor Jeff Mason as well as the Smith County Commissioners for approving this purchase for us. When given the funding for the necessary equipment, we will always strive to provide the best possible care for our Citizens.
