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Firefighters get lifesaving devices, thanks to co-op members
August, 2004
Lifesaving devices are now in the hands of local firefighters thanks to the member-owners of York Electric Cooperative who participate in Operation Round Up.
Cooperative officials recently presented 23 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) to fire departments in York Electric Cooperative's service areas, which includes parts of York, Lancaster, Chester and Cherokee counties. The devices were purchased with $36,000 allocated by the volunteer trust board that administers funds collected through Operation Round Up.
 Chief David Frye of the Oakdale Fire Department, thanked the co-op for what he called a "generous gift." Frye, who serves as president of the York County Fire Chiefs Association, noted that some area fire departments already have some AEDs but the new defibrillators will help them better serve their communities.
"With volunteer departments it's hard to make those budgets stretch to where you can buy them," he said. "This truly is a great opportunity for all of us. On behalf of all the departments both in and outside of York County, we greatly appreciate the consideration that York Electric Cooperative has given us."
How they work
AEDs are lightweight, portable versions of defibrillators, which are used to treat persons suffering heart attacks and other cardiac problems by arresting irregular contractions of heart muscles. Defibrillators apply electric shock across the victim's chest via low-voltage direct current.
Chris Henderson, a representative of Zoll, the manufacturer of the AEDs Plus units that were presented to local fire squads at the co-op event, explained how the units work. He noted that the company's AEDs have been water- and vibration-tested to ensure durability.
They are also user friendly, he said, with each device's front panel featuring illustrations that show various steps in the American Heart Association's Chain of Survival. Unlike some portable defibrillators, he noted, Zoll's AEDs run on a set of camera-type lithium batteries that are readily available to consumers instead of larger batteries that would have to be specially ordered.
Sharon Fire Department Chief Oliver Dowdle, who also serves as York Electric Cooperative's safety officer, said he's impressed with automated defibrillators. "If you can turn it on, it will tell you everything else to do. It's pretty amazing," said Dowdle, a line technician for the co-op.
Dowdle has received American Red Cross training in the use of defibrillators. The co-op owns a defibrillator, which Dowdle trains co-op employees to operate.
You're the reason
During the AED presentation event, which the co-op hosted at its York headquarters, Paul Basha, President and Chief Executive Officer of York Electric Cooperative, praised the firefighters as local heroes.
"I want to thank you because you all are the reason we're doing this," Basha said. "York Electric's been around for more than 60 years and we're about giving back to the community. What better way to give back to the community than to give you a tool that can save somebody's life. You guys put your life on the line every day -- and you save lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Basha also thanked the co-op's member-elected Board of Trustees for their support of Operation Round Up as well as the volunteer board of the York Electric Trust, which administers the funds collected through Operation Round Up. The voluntary program allows participating co-op members to round up their monthly co-op bill to the next whole dollar. Member contributions are pooled, with grants made to help people in need as well as public service organizations and agencies operating in the communities served by the co-op.
Co-op officials note that 67% of all York Electric Cooperative members now participate in Operation Round Up. Since the program's inception, more than $540,000 has been allocated to assist non-profit organizations and individuals with emergency needs.
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