Clay County Sheriff accepts Helmsley grant to place Lucas CPR device in patrol car

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on May 27 approved acceptance of a grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust (managed through a state program) to acquire a Lucas automated chest-compression device for the sheriff’s office.

Sheriff Empting and a deputy identified as Gabe described the device as an automated CPR compressor that provides chest compressions at a steady rate and depth, allowing one responder to manage other tasks on-scene. Gabe said two deputies attended a “train-the-trainer” course in Alexandria; they will train sheriff’s office personnel at no additional cost.

Staff said the county received one unit through the grant and two rechargeable batteries and that the grant program had previously supplied AEDs through a University-managed initiative. The deputy noted the device can operate while an AED is attached and can be paused to permit shocks; batteries carried an initial two-year warranty, and staff estimated a useful life of about five years for equipment such as this.

Commissioners asked about warranty, training, lifespan and whether the device would interfere with AED function; staff said the devices are interoperable (some models communicate via Bluetooth) and that the county will add the device to the county’s fixed-asset and insurance schedules. Commissioner Ebinger moved to accept the grant; Commissioner Kravanoff seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

Staff said the unit will typically be assigned to patrol squads on shift rotations so a device is available for first responders across the county; staff also said they will seek additional grants to expand availability.