The county’s public‑works leadership proposed adding automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to seven highway barns and issuing stop‑the‑bleed kits to foremen and field crews; the committee agreed to move a funding request to the finance committee and encouraged inclusion of mobile AEDs in the 2026 budget.

“...we don't currently have AEDs that are highway parks,” Justin said, describing the plan to equip barns that will not have AEDs after capital projects are complete. He said county public-health staff collaborated on the stop‑the‑bleed kits and recommended placing a kit in every foreman’s truck for large field projects. Staff estimated the cost to equip seven barns at roughly $9,500 to $11,000 for AEDs, batteries, pads and protective wall‑mount cases.

Committee members discussed alternatives such as portable/mobile AEDs for crews who work at remote sites with limited cell coverage. Staff said the county already has a small number of mobile AEDs in other departments (sheriff’s road patrol and certain staff), but not enough to cover paving and bridge crews that operate off-site. The group agreed to request that workers' compensation funds cover AED purchases for the seven barns that will lack devices after capital projects and to include additional portable units in the 2026 budget request.

The committee voted to forward the funding proposal to finance for approval. Staff will return with specific vendor quotes, training plans and a draft maintenance and replacement schedule; they also recommended coordinated training for staff who would carry or use the devices.