Smith, left, donates AED to Chief Stanton
Since a 16-year old Flomaton High School student was basically brought back to life on April 19 with firemen using an aging Automated External Defibrillator the Flomaton Fire Department has received donations to purchase eight new AEDs and possibly a ninth.
Daverick Williams collapsed while playing basketball at the high school and was shocked back to life by a 13-year old AED that malfunctioned after the second shock.
The town of Century and the town of Flomaton have both voted to purchase AEDs and the others have come from private donations. Atmore resident Susan Smith has also made a donation of an AED to the fire department.
Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton said fundraising efforts 13 years ago allowed him to purchase eight AEDs. At the time of the April 19 incident at the high school he was down to two.
"I'm in a lot better shape than before," Stanton said of the new AEDs.
Stanton said now he will have AEDs in all four fire department vehicles, one in the school, one inside the fire station and some in police vehicles.
"Having the first person on scene armed and trained to use an AED is critical," Stanton said.
He noted on May 10, the Century Fire Department was at a training exercise when a cardiac arrest call came in on Backwoods Road. The Flomaton Fire Department and the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office responded. Stanton said the sheriff's deputy's AED was used to shock the patient twice to restore his heartbeat.
"That shows you the importance of mutual aid," Stanton said. "I'd like to get an AED to keep in the town's utility vehicles. They are out and about and many times the closest to the call."
