A Bellingham man recently reached out to Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and asked if would be open to receiving a donation of automated external defibrillators (AED) in memory of his father. Today, October 28th, WCSO announced they had received the donation.
This was a chance for me to give back to this community, honor my father’s legacy, and to give the Sheriff’s Deputies an additional tool to help them save lives. The WCSO patrol deputies cover an expansive area. Now we have 65 sheriff deputies equipped to apply that life-saving measure in the field as first responders.Byron Sprague
According to a WCSO press release issued today, the donation was from Byron Sprague in memory of his father, Seattle Fire Department Deputy Chief Al Sprague, Sr. WCSO patrol vehicles will soon be equipped with the life-saving devices and deputies trained on their use. WCSO Community Programs Coordinator Deb Slater said in an email to My Ferndale News that WCSO patrol vehicles have not been equipped with AEDs in the past and, once all deputies have completed training, all marked patrol vehicles will be equipped.
Defibrillators are devices used to shock a patient’s heart in order to restart it when it has stopped beating or is beating too quickly to create a pulse. An AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses life-threatening cardiac conditions and guides the operator through the process of treating the patient through defibrillation and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
“I am grateful to Mr. Sprague for his very generous donation that will enhance the ability of our deputies to quickly respond to cardiac emergencies and undoubtedly save lives,” said Elfo. “This donation was a very thoughtful way of honoring his father’s legacy.”