The Tri-City Ledger was involved in the first fundraising effort to purchase Automated External Defibrillators for the Flomaton Fire Department several years ago. Fire Chief Steve Stanton wanted to buy two at a cost of about $3,800 each. We were able to help in securing a match – in other words if we could raise $3,800 to buy one, they'd match it to buy the second. We ended up raising more than $20,000. The match doubled to $7,600 and Stanton was able to purchase multiple AEDs and at a reduced bulk price to not only arm Flomaton firemen and police with the life-saving devices, but to give some to other fire departments in the area and the school.
Monday afternoon a Flomaton High School student was saved because of an AED. It probably wasn't one of the first purchased, because they need to be replaced down the road. We learned that after two shocks on the 16-year old student Monday, the AED battery failed. Two happened to be enough to safe his life.
So, here we are again. We need to step up to the plate and help the fire department purchase new AEDs. The price has dropped to about $2,500.
The success of the first fundraiser blew our mind, but it dawned on us that everybody knows somebody who died from a heart attack – whether it was a friend or relative. We've watched over the years at the AEDs technically brought dead people back to life. We need more. We need firemen, police officers and schools armed with these lifesaving devices.
We're asking for your help. We'll reach out for some matching funds, but we need your money. This is the first step. If you want to send a check to us, make it out to the Flomaton Fire Department and mail it to P.O. Box 1916, Flomaton, Ala., 36441. We'll get it into the hands that may one day save your life, your child's life or your best friend. We'll also reach out to our previous matchers to help arm more people with AEDs.
