County employees volunteer for emergency AED training

July 26, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. | Updated July 26, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.

Kelly Drennan of the Callaway County Ambulance Service, right, demonstrates proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to 12 Callaway County Courthouse employees during training Thursday morning. Applying CPR chest compressions is Don Horstman, Courthouse maintenance supervisor. In the background are, from left, Callaway County Eastern District Commissioner Randy Kleindienst and Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann.
Kelly Drennan of the Callaway County Ambulance Service, right, demonstrates proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to 12 Callaway County Courthouse employees during training Thursday morning. Applying CPR chest compressions is Don Horstman, Courthouse maintenance supervisor. In the background are, from left, Callaway County Eastern District Commissioner Randy Kleindienst and Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann.

A dozen Callaway County Courthouse employees volunteered to receive training Thursday on how to use a new automated external defibrillator (AED) device during medical emergencies to help revive people whose heart has stopped beating.

The Callaway County Ambulance Service donated a portable AED that will be mounted on a wall in the Callaway County Courthouse.

The chosen location in the courthouse for the device is near the main courtroom where jury trials are held.

"That's where the most people gather in the Courthouse," said Callaway County Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer.

On Thursday, 12 volunteers who work in the Courthouse went to the meeting room at the Callaway County Health Department for AED training provided by Kelly Drennan of the Callaway County Ambulance Service.

The volunteers took turns practicing the AED training, going through each step in the process.

During the training, Drennan offered some tips that could be useful to anyone during an emergency.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.