County employees to receive CPR, defibrillator use training

The Cape Girardeau County Commission unanimously passed a motion for a safety initiative Monday to offer first aid, CPR and automatic external defibrillator training to county employees.

First District Commissioner Paul Koeper began looking for ways to ensure a safe work environment in the county highway department two months ago. His efforts grew to incorporate all county employees.

"If something happens to somebody, they need to be able to do what they can until some of this help gets to them," Koeper said.

Koeper recommended the purchase of seven defibrillators. He proposed the placement of four defibrillators in Jackson at the Archive Center, the county administration building, the county courthouse and the highway department. He suggested three be kept in Cape Girardeau at the Parks and Recreation Department, Common Pleas Courthouse and the courthouse annex.

Koeper estimates the cost of the defibrillators to be $7,000 and has applied for a federal grant to help fund the purchase. The commission is considering using money from each building's maintenance fund.

The state government is bidding on defibrillators, and Koeper said the county should know early next month if it will purchase the machines through the state. He hopes to have them by the time the classes begin during the second or third week of July.

The cost of equipment, including defibrillator training machines and mannequins, will be about $3,300. Koeper said the cost will be covered by a reimbursement the county earned from its workers' compensation insurance for having a low accident rate.

Koeper and Stan Murray, of the county mapping and appraisal office, have undergone training to be certified as instructors. Paying for instructors would have cost $40 to $50 for each of the county's employees. With the training equipment already purchased, Koeper said the county will save money in two years when recertification is required.

Training will take place during the week. Koeper said the commission plans to enable online registration for the classes to limit the number of employees from each department that participate on a particular day.

astephens@semissourian.com

388.3654