The Independence County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has acquired 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to improve emergency response following a tragic drowning incident in the White River.
In July 2023, Army veteran Eric Edwards, 47, drowned while attempting to save his child who had fallen into the river. While the child survived, the rescue effort was hindered as only two four-wheel-drive vehicles could access the sandbar where Edwards entered the water, and neither vehicle was equipped with an AED.
To address such gaps in emergency preparedness, OEM Director Bill Johnson secured funding to purchase the lifesaving devices. A grant from the Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas, along with a $10,000 donation from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, allowed the department to buy the AEDs and extra defibrillator pads. Each device comes with a carrying case and essential tools like scissors and towels.
“These AEDs are intended to reduce response times in areas where every second matters in saving lives,” Johnson said. The devices will be distributed among county departments, including Emergency Dispatch, the OEM, the County Judge’s office, and the County Road Department.
An AED will also be stationed in the office of Ron Byers, superintendent of the Road Department. Byers frequently travels to job sites across the county. “Ron is out in the county a lot, so there’s always a chance he might be close in an emergency,” Johnson explained.
Johnson emphasized that AEDs can be used by anyone, even without formal medical training or certification. Arkansas's Good Samaritan Law protects individuals using the devices in good faith to assist in emergencies. While the AEDs themselves are designed to last indefinitely, their batteries and pads have a five-year shelf life.
Johnson cited another recent case where an AED proved to be a lifesaver. A worker at a local factory became unresponsive, but a coworker's quick use of CPR and a defibrillator helped save the employee's life. “He is still alive to this day,” Johnson noted.
By placing AEDs with county personnel, quicker response times can be achieved, which may prove critical in urgent situations. The devices can also be used to provide precautionary measures even when CPR is not needed. Johnson hopes these tools will bolster the community’s safety and preparedness.
“While fire departments always respond to emergencies, having AEDs in the hands of traveling personnel like County Road crews or OEM staff means we could save lives by starting care sooner,” Johnson said.