Last Saturday, the Whitesboro Fire Department (WFD) hosted a babysitter academy course. The course was designed to provide potential life-saving information to potential babysitters in our community but was helpful information for any child who attended.
The course was instructed by Firefighter/Paramedic Rustin Reedy with assistance from A-Shift EMS and EMS Division Chief Stephen Wilcox. The course included instruction not just in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use, but branched into social media safety, fire safety, water safety and much more. Eighteen participants turned out for the class and spent several hours at the fire station that culminated in a tour of the ambulances and fire equipment, as well as an opportunity to slide down the station’s fire pole.
This course is the first of many to come and reflects the fire department’s commitment to increase outreach and community education as part of its core mission. The next class offered at the fire station (located at 206 W Main Street) will be held on May 25. That class will cover community CPR and AED use. It is a non-certified course (meaning you will not get a CPR certification card), but participants will learn the ins and outs of CPR and AED use, as well as what happens in the seconds following the arrival of EMS and what citizens can do to continue to assist in resuscitation efforts until additional first responders arrive.
Upcoming course information can be located on the fire department’s web page, www.whitesborofirerescue.com or by following their Facebook page at Whitesboro Fire Department.
The department will continue to expand its offerings to the community so keep an eye out for courses that may be of interest.