Antrim Township staff receives first aid training
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Lynn Shatzer and Larson Wenger, Antrim Township employees, learn first aid techniques from Nancy Myers, a certified instructor.

If an unexpected medical emergency occurs at the Antrim Township Municipal Building, the victim will be in better hands than before, thanks to CPR/AED training held for the employees.

The fulltime employees have received training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use. The building and the wastewater treatment plant have been designated 'heart safe facilities' with the installation of the defibrillators.

Ben Thomas, Jr., township manager, has been trained in CPR since the 1970s.

He said, "The automated defibrillator is a phenomenal invention now available for lay people."

The portable electronic device automatically diagnoses potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment restores the heartbeat to an effective rhythm.

The units are gaining in popularity and being placed in public places across the country. These include government offices, malls, airports and sports stadiums.

The township office sees its share of public traffic.

"It's amazing the number of citizens who come in on a daily basis," said Thomas.

People attend meetings day and night, pay bills, consult with staff on various issues and visit the District Justice office. Thomas said 100-200 people may pass through the doors on a given day.

Dave Wolf and Nancy Myers, certified CPR/AED instructors with the American Heart Association, conducted the training at the Rescue Hose Company.

The employees will receive a refresher course every six months.