By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
The Yukon Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association’s automated external defibrillator (AED) project has gotten another life-saving boost thanks to the Yukon Rotary Club.
Yukon Rotarians, led by President Angelique Morton, presented Police Chief John Corn with the civic group’s second large monetary gift to purchase another new AED for the Yukon Police Department.
The presentation was made during the July 18th Yukon City Council meeting inside the Centennial Building, 12 S 5th.
In 2022, the Yukon Citizens Police Academy Alumni launched a campaign to fund 10 new AED devices for the YPD.
“This makes number six,” YCPAAA President Wes McAtee said of Yukon Rotary’s latest donation. “With other funds that we’ve raised throughout the year, we’ll be able to buy a seventh.”
A 50-50 cash raffle during Yukon’s July 4th Freedom Fest really helped, McAtee noted. The winner received $935.
Each AED costs more than $1,800, and there are recurring costs such as new pads and battery packs.
Ten new units will enable officers on all YPD shifts to have working AEDs in their vehicles and one at the police station.
During the Tuesday night presentation, Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby praised the Yukon Rotary Club.
“Basically, what they do is, good things,” Selby said. “They help people. They do nice things.
“They are a community organization that tries to make this community just a little nicer place.”
Yukon police officers do not have to have specialized training to operate an AED device.
“This is a huge program and it’s something a lot of people are not aware of,” Chief Corn said.
The YPD has needed to overhaul and upgrade its AED inventory, he added.
“It’s made a huge difference to our citizens,” Corn said. “It’s a life-saving tool that we’ll continue to deploy and use. We appreciate all the help.”
FIRST ON THE SCENE
Police patrol officers are often first “on the scene” of medical emergencies so they must start to render aid, McAtee pointed out.
Once Yukon Fire personnel arrive, these AED units can be switched over so lifesaving aid is not interrupted.
“We had to make them compatible with the equipment that our fire department is carrying, which is a little more elaborate than the standard AED,” Yukon’s police chief explained.
The life cycle of new AED devices is three to five years.
“With our officers on the street and being readily available, if a medical call comes out and it’s a cardiac arrest, they may be just around the block or right down the street,” Corn said.
“Just having this type of tool gives our officers the opportunity to make a difference in somebody’s life.”
The YCPAAA is continuing its fund-raising efforts because more AEDs are still needed.
This Yukon Police support group raises funds to help supply the YPD with desired items that often are outside the regular budget.
The Yukon Citizens Police Academy Alumni – which now has 25 members – previously helped provide bicycles for the police bike patrol, drones and other equipment.
Tax-deductible donations for this AED project directly benefit Yukon Police.
For more information, call McAtee at (405) 517-6229 or email yukonokycpaaa@gmail.com .
