Recently Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin recognized several officers who during the past 18 months saved the life of individuals, a couple of them with the use of an AED, automated external defibrillator.
John Grolich, former paramedic with the Plymouth Fire Department and former Marshall County Coroner was instrumental in bringing AEDs to the county.
In the late 90’s the county was in a pilot program with the IU School of Medicine to determine the potential benefits of having AEDs in police vehicles. The county was given 3 devices and had to move them from vehicle to vehicle during shift changes.
It didn’t take long for the county to see the positive impact when then Deputy Ward Byers used the AED in May of 1998 and saved the life of an Argos man.
Grolich said. “Initially the Marshall County Community Foundation awarded a grant to purchase 10 AED devices to be placed in the squad cars for the Sheriff’s Department.” He noted that then prosecutor Kurt Palmer also purchased some with deferral funds and the Community Foundation continued to support the program providing AEDs in the vehicles of all law enforcement vehicles in the county and another grant to provide them in the various school systems in the county.
Grolich said, “Since bringing AEDs to the county we are approaching 10 lives saved.” He also said between public and private purchases there are about 100 devices spread throughout the county.
At a cost of approximately $2,000 each Grolich said major industries in the county are purchasing AEDs to show their care and concern for their employees. He noted, “It’s one of those things you hope you have and never need.”
As an emergency responder Grolich said, “There’s nothing greater than giving someone their life back and AEDs can do that.”
