Delaware County Foundation gives $1,000 grant for BV medical bags

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Delaware County Commissioners accepted a $1,000 grant from the Delaware County Foundation for the purchase of medical bags for Buckeye Valley High School’s Teen Institute.

Members of the club are receiving training to act as first responders in the event of a mass shooting incident at the school.

Marlene Casini, president of the Delaware County Foundation, presented the check Monday morning to Eric Burgess, Delaware County Emergency Medical Services assistant chief, for the purchase of the medical bags.

“When a small amount of money that we are providing can ultimately lead to saving lives and a career path, that’s an incredible outcome for the $1,000 grant we are providing,” Casini said. “Our committee did talk about what is going on in our schools and how important it is and how this small amount of money will be transformed in multiple ways.”

The members of the Teen Institute are taught basic first aid and life saving skills by county first responders. The students will be the first line defense against the loss of life until EMS help can arrive in a mass shooting.

“This is a partnership with Buckeye Valley High School, Delaware County EMS, Tri-Township Fire Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office,” Burgess said. “This program has taken off a little faster than we thought it would. We’ve had some interest from Delaware City Schools as well as Big Walnut that we’re starting to work on as well.”

The program came about when David Rosenberger, captain Tri-Township Fire Department, was inspired by an article about students training to be first responders in Ontario, Canada.

In an earlier report Burgess said students have received their certification in CPR and first aid from the American Heart Association.

This month students learned blood control techniques to prevent the injured from bleeding to death. The class was taught by Lieutenant Dan Jividen of Delaware County Emergency Medical Services. Jividen is a paramedic with the county EMS, Emergency Medical Technician instructor and a member of the Delaware County Medical Tactical Unit.

The club is advised by Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy Fred Strawser, who said the students approached him to be the advisor. “Last year I was approached about this idea for the first responder training for the club,” Strawser said. “I promoted it to the club.”

Several members of the club spoke after the presentation with a couple of them saying they have decided on a medical career since joining the club.

Max Gentile, senior, said jokingly, he was originally forced into the club by a fellow student, but has been a member all four years in high school. “It’s been really fun,” he said. “I’ve learned a bunch of names and I like helping people.” Gentile said nursing sounded like a good career option.

Shayla Ellerbrock, junior, said she has plans to “become a nurse to start out.”

Lauren Galloway, senior, said it was an honor to be there. “But in all honesty it says a lot about the leadership,” she said. “To be honored here and given this grant is huge and we hope it keeps going.”

By D. Anthony Botkin

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D. Anthony Botkin may be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @dabotkin.

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