Friday, Feb. 25, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Fire department offering CPR classesBen Nelms Union City Fire Department Training Officer Joe Maddox is a man on a mission. The mission is one intent on saving lives. The medium he and other firefighters are using is CPR training for Union City citizens. The fire department has offered CPR and First Aid training to the public for the past 20 years. And in the past year, Union Citys firefighters have trained an estimated 50 residents. The current effort is designed to provide life-saving training to the citys ever-expanding population. What were wanting to do is get this big enough to offer classes in First Aid in conjunction with CPR if we can get participation from businesses and private citizens, said Maddox. Were classified as public safety but it should be public service. The Union City Fire department will be conducting CPR classes once each month on Saturdays from March through October. Classes will be held at the Union City Depot adjacent to city hall. The fee for the class is $10 per person, Maddox said. Class curriculum is CPR for the Community and Workplace provided by the American Safety and Health Institute. Firefighters can instruct a maximum of 20 people per four-hour session. Maddox said he taught the life-saving techniques of CPR to his wife and children. The reason, he said, was simple. If something happens to me they will know what to do and how to do it. thats a big relief, Maddox explained. The truth is, any of us can save a life. An example of the benefits of receiving training came unexpectedly last year, just two weeks after a local woman had been through the course. two weeks later, he said, the woman was able to use the techniques she learned in class. The fire department performs annual inspections at businesses. Firefighters also offer residential fire inspections to those interested. Firefighters stand ready to make suggestions that will help save lives and property, Maddox said. The fire safety inspection is a no fee/no obligation service to citizens and addresses issues such as smoke detectors and storage of combustibles. We want to do our part to help make our citizens homes and the community safer, said Maddox. For further information or to register contact Joe Maddox at (770) 964-9934 ext. 342. |
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