By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
With police officers often the first to arrive on medical calls, a Yukon Police support group is seeking the public support to they can supply life-saving emergency equipment.
The Yukon Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (YCPAAA)’s goal is to raise enough to purchase 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and one Lifepak CR2 training unit.
The Yukon Police Department’s current AEDs are past their “shelf life” and need to be replaced, according to YCPAAA Secretary Cathy Reynolds.
“Police are generally the first ‘on scene’,” Reynolds said. “These (AEDs) are the same units the fire department uses.”
YCPAAA members are seeking to raise $18,187.50 to cover the cost of the new AEDs.
Ten units will enable officers on each YPD shift to have working AEDs in their vehicles and one at the police station.
“We were fortunate enough to get a grant that the City was able to write so they have already purchased one unit and the training unit,” Reynolds explained. “We are working on getting the rest of the units that (the YPD) would need to be able to do that.”
The devices also will be used at special events.
It is likely the police will arrive at a medical emergency before the fire department can start using an AED immediately. Once the fire department arrives, these units can be switched over so lifesaving aid is not interrupted.
The Yukon Citizens Police Academy Alumni also is raising funds by selling “We Support Law Enforcement” window stickers for Yukon homes and businesses. A $20 donation is suggested.
The YCAAA is comprised of Yukon-area residents who have completed Yukon Citizens Police Academy classes.
Cathy and her husband Randy Reynolds went through the academy in 2019.
As a tax-exempt organization, the alumni association raises funds to help supply the YPD with desired items that often are outside the regular budget.
Previously, the group has helped provide bicycles for the police bike patrol, drones and other equipment.
The group has 22 active citizen members and is recruiting more academy graduates to join.
Association officers are President Wes McAtee, Vice President Dave Ritter, Treasurer Genie Vinson, and Secretary Cathy Reynolds.
A FALL ACADEMY
The next Yukon Citizens Police Academy is being planned for this fall.
“It will be about eight weeks long with three-hour sessions once a week,” Reynolds said.
The training allows Yukon citizens to hear first-hand from YPD officers and other personnel about various aspects of police work – investigations, jail operations, accident reconstruction, patrolling, firearms use, and much more.
“Our goal is to have a ‘master academy’ class for people who’ve already been through the basic academy class,” Reynolds added. “It would be more in-depth in a number of areas to include follow-up on cases in the courts and the coroner’s office.”
There also has been discussion about offering a junior police academy for Yukon youth.
YCPAAA members support Yukon Police at each academy and serve as a liaison during community events like the recent Freedom Fest and Route 66 tour.
The group has helped find lost items and provided pedestrian traffic control.
“We have a presence at these events where we are an asset to the police department,” Reynolds explained. “We also help at ‘Christmas with a Cop’ on the first Saturday in December. We’re there to wrap gifts and help with breakfast for all families who are participating.”
Tax-deductible donations for the AED project will directly benefit Yukon Police.
For more information, call McAtee at (405) 517-6229 or email yukonokcpaaa@gmail.com .
