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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2006 Grant gives boost to rural fire district By Sanne SPecht Mail Tribune WIMER — Evans Valley Fire District volunteers, often the first to respond to a medical emergency in this rural area will soon have the equipment necessary to conduct "first responder" training courses thanks to a grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services. A $4,300 grant will help the volunteers purchase training items including a portable suction unit; infant, child and adult resuscitation mannequins; and a semi-automatic defibrillator trainer, says Chief Bill Fuller. More than 70 percent of the small department's calls are medical alarms. Rigorous and ongoing training in emergency medical services is not only required, it can save lives, Fuller says. The first responder course requires 80 hours of instruction followed by a series of written, oral and physical tests. It is during the final section of testing that volunteers use their new-found life-saving skills on the faux patients, he says. "We give them scenarios and the mannequins, and they treat them right in front of us," says Fuller. "That's where the sweat rolls off the foreheads." Fuller credits Lt. Mark Pawlick with procuring the grant that will save the department many hours of transportation and coordination. "In the past when we did our first-responder classes, we borrowed the equipment," said Fuller. "Sometimes we had to travel to Medford to pick it up. And as soon as we finished the classes, we had to return it. Now it will be our own material sitting in our own facility." Fuller says Pawlick's grant-writing success was the only way the cash-strapped department was going to get their own training supplies. "The adult mannequin alone is $1,200," said Fuller. "And there was no money in the budget for it." Pawlick is researching outlets and best available prices. The team plans on making their purchases within the next 30 days, Fuller says. "If we can get it by July 22 — that is the final exam of the first-responder course we're doing now — we won't have to borrow stuff," said Fuller. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or at [email protected] Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews