ARPA money buys AEDs for Sheriff patrol cars

The Sheriff’s Office just received 15 new AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillator) for their vehicles which were purchased using $30,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.  The defibrillators will replace those in vehicles and in their offices which are outdated or expired and no longer serviceable.  These new defibrillators should be good for the next eight years.  

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director Rob Lulling said, “Deputies are often the first to arrive on the scene.  There have been multiple times they were able to begin life saving measures before we arrived.  It can make a difference if someone lives or dies.”  

Marquette County Administrator Ron Barger suggested that ARPA money be used to purchase the AEDs since the Sheriff was requesting them in his budget.  He turned to Lulling to work with Sheriff Joe Konrath and complete the paperwork and proposal.   The ARPA committee of the Board of Supervisors approved the request and the AEDs arrived last week.  The units will replace the outdated AEDs in squad cars as well as in the Courthouse, the UW-Extension building and Health and Human Services.  The total cost of the units was $33,000, of which $3,000 came from the Sheriff’s budget.

Emergency Medical Services Director Rob Lulling stands with Sheriff Joe Konrath and Captain Les Crandall who were picking up the 15 new Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDS) purchased with $30,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money.  The units will replace outdated units in the patrol cars.  There have been multiple times that deputies have arrived on the scene first and begun resuscitation using the AEDs.  They have saved people’s lives in Marquette County. (Photo by Kathleen McGwin)