Another 12 are to be deployed.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Board of Supervisors met on Feb. 13 in regular session. County Engineer Josh Sebern and County Health Director Jotham Arber provided updates on their departments.

Arber said flu shots will continue to be available through April.

“We did deploy 27 AEDs (artificial external defibrillators) throughout the county,” said Arber. “We’re going to be deploying another 12.”

AEDs devices are portable electronic devices that automatically diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia and are able to treat them through defibrillation, which is the application of electricity that stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. 

Arber mentioned that he is seeking appropriate places for an AED in the Bayard and Adair-Casey areas.

In reviewing the minutes of the supervisors’ most recent meeting, Supervisor Maggie Armstrong asked for clarification about which group will develop parameters for the proposed countywide EMS services. The board agreed that the EMS committee will develop such parameters, and the board of supervisors will then discuss it and consider it for possible approval.

The next meeting of the supervisors will be a budgetary work session on Thursday, Feb. 15 and then a regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb 20. The public is welcome. Attendees may participate in person or by calling 323-792-6123 and inputting conference ID 547029216#.