Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Pictured in the photo are, left to right, Ken Fore, Hulbert VFD, Kevin McCoy, Director of Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services, Hastings Shade, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, OK.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - Six area volunteer fire departments have new equipment that may help them save the lives of heart attack victims. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma donated defibrillators to the Sparrow Hawk Village, Norwood, Hulbert, Flint Ridge, Kenwood and Leach fire departments because their volunteers are often the first to respond to emergency calls.

"The extra few minutes that a first responder gets makes all the difference," said Gary Butcher of the Kenwood VFD. "We've been looking for this kind of equipment, but a lot of the small departments couldn't afford it. It's great that the Cherokee Nation can provide this service."

"Ninety per cent of the time, heart attack victims can be resuscitated," said Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services Director Kevin McCoy. "But every minute that passes without defibrillation, the chances of resuscitation decrease by 10 per cent. That's why it's so important that these first responders in rural areas have this equipment."

"There's been a couple of occasions I've needed one of these," said Buddy Hight, with the Norwood Volunteer Fire Department. "For a lot of these people, there's nobody but us between life and death until EMS arrives. This just gives us one more tool, one more chance to save a life."

Each of the departments has volunteers trained to use a defibrillator, but they'd rather never have to take it off the truck.

"These defibrillators are kind of like a life insurance policy," said Harold Winn of the Flint Ridge volunteer fire department. "We hope we never have to use it, but if we do, it'll come in real handy."