County considers urgent upgrade to life-saving AEDs

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the annual maintenance costs associated with the BV Wax radio system, which are determined by the number of operational radios. As more members, including Madison and Leon Counties, join the system, the individual costs for existing members are expected to decrease due to a larger pool of contributors. The upfront costs are initially borne by the county, with reimbursements from municipalities like Navasota occurring after the billing cycle, which is based on the previous year's data.

Another pressing issue raised was the condition of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) located in county buildings. Concerns were voiced regarding the difficulty in obtaining replacement batteries for the current AEDs, which require certified technicians for maintenance. The proposal to replace these devices with ZOLL AEDs, which utilize standard batteries that can be easily replaced by anyone, was put forward. The initial cost for the ZOLL units is approximately $2,021, but a more favorable price of $1,304 was identified through a buy board. The total estimated expenditure for replacing the existing AEDs, including the need for an additional unit for a new building, could reach nearly $20,000.

The discussions highlighted the importance of maintaining functional emergency equipment and the financial implications of upgrading to more user-friendly devices.