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At the Troup County Commission meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved the purchase 37 automated external defibrillators (AED) at a cost of approximately $68,073.56.

Lt. Scott Hester with the Troup County Fire Department said several current defibrillators are in need of replacement. 

“The ones (AEDs) we have now are outdated and those were purchased in 2016,” Hester said.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is an electronic medical device used on a person who had a heart attack or has gone into cardiac arrest.

The device can check a person’s heart rhythm, recognize a rhythm that requires a shock and advise the rescuer when a shock is needed. The AED uses voice prompts, lights and pictures to tell the rescuer the steps to take. AEDs are considered very accurate and easy to use.

This funding for the LifePak Model-CR2 defibrillators came from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funds and will be dispersed among four Troup County departments.

“Those 37 defibrillators will be spilt up over four Troup county offices. The Government Center is asking for eight, Active Life is asking for 10, the fire department is asking for four and Troup County Recreation is asking for 15 making,” Hester said.

Currently, the basement floor where the Troup County 911 is located has no AED unit on that floor.

The current AEDs at the Government Center are LifePak Model-500 units that are past their suggested expiration date of 5-6 years. According to Lt. Hester, the batteries for these models are no longer produced by the manufacturer and are extremely hard to find. Even with aftermarket suppliers, the batteries for these types of AEDs are very expensive, and only have a shelf life of about one to two years.

The information provided by Hester says the LifePak CR2 provides an increased chance of survival and is the only AED that allows chest compressions during an electrocardiogram (ECG), reducing pauses between CPR and defibrillation. The device includes dual-language capabilities and technology to help users understand and hear voice prompts. The LifePak CR2 also provides a child mode button that allows operators to switch to child mode for reduced energy and CPR guidance appropriate for children. Batteries for the LifePak CR2, comes with extended life lasting four years, two years more than other standard AED devices.

In other business:

• Felony Drug and Family Court and the Mental Health Court and DUI Courts were approved for grants in the amount of $244,322 with a match of $33,317. The grant includes a cash match from the City of LaGrange, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and the DATE fund. The Troup County DUI/Drug Court received a grant for the amount of $138,963 with a match of $18,950. The match will come from drug testing/SCRAM monitoring and is funded via the DATE fund. Both grants are reimbursable. Felony Drug Court was awarded with a grant amount of $166,177, with a match of $19,941. The match will come from the program case manager’s salary and benefits, which are funded through the collection of participant fees.  Family Court was also awarded with a grant amount of $159,542, with a match of $21,756. The match will also come from the program’s case manager’s salary and benefits. Both grants are reimbursable.