PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - PEF Employee Health Service nurses Linda Piurek, Ruth Bruins and PEF Executive Board Member Diana Guldalian practice basic life support by using an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the state Department of Civil Service. The department received a grant from PEF and the state to provide instructor training in AED use. — Photo by Deborah A. Miles

PEF makes funding possible
AED training provides statewide life support

By DEBORAH A. MILES
Through the efforts of the PEF Health and Safety Department, the Employee Health Service (EHS) at the state Department of Civil Service is the recipient of a $3,000 grant. The grant will provide training to EHS nurses to become instructors in basic life support and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

As instructors, these PEF nurses will be able to train volunteers from other state agencies and help save lives.

Currently, there are 22 nurses’ stations throughout various state agencies in Albany that are equipped with AEDs.

“The problem has been there’s one AED in a building and it’s usually locked in the nurse’s station. And the nurse is the only one who has access to it,” said PEF Executive Board Member and supervising health service nurse Diana Guldalian. “So, if someone needs basic life support and the nurse is away from her station, that person could die.”

Defibrillators save lives
An AED is used to restore the natural rhythm of the heart by applying an electrical shock when a person has a sudden cardiac arrest, a problem which strikes about 220,000 Americans every year. Having trained responders could prevent thousands of deaths, as quick response increases survival rates.

“Agencies are concerned that if someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, no one will be available to use the AED,” said Linda Piurek, another PEF nurse. “Agencies want a public-access program so AEDs would be in a mutually agreeable location in the building where everyone who is trained would have access to the defibrillator, no matter what time of day it is.”

When the initial grant application was denied, PEF’s Health and Safety Director Jonathan Rosen pushed for a grant under Article 18 of the PS&T contract, and won its approval. With more trained volunteers, the AEDs will be accessible to more employees and the public.

Members trained to respond
In January, 15 PEF members from EHS received a full day of training by an instructor from the American Heart Association.

“The benefit will be that the 15 trained will be available to go to other state agencies and train more people,” Guldalian said. “We’ll be able to make arrangements for classes at other agencies in all parts of the state,” Piurek added.

Agencies with locations throughout the state will be able to call one place and coordinate training for all their sites. This will be easier than trying to schedule classes with many locally based trainers.

“If PEF hadn’t acquired the funding, these 15 members would not be trained and making AEDs available to state employees would be a difficult process,” she said.

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
Ad blitz aims to save jobs, services
Pataki eyes budget cuts
ERI savings slim pickings for state
Bill outlaws discrimination is now law
Leaders open PS&T contract talks
PEF honors its Ground Zero heroes

Departments
President's Message: Budget balancing act
You Said It: Member's letters this month
Health & Safety: Smallpox vaccine concerns
Member Mobilization:Organization is key
Nurses' Station: Lobby Day plans for May
Health Notes: Empire Plan number reaches all
Retirees In Action: Losing ground financially
PEF Membership Benefits Program & Travel Corp

Union Matters
Worker's Rights
Reg. 8 brings holiday cheer
State promises Rx for docs’ pension-credit snafu
They got the 'write stuff': • Furlani • Wilcox
AED training provides statewide life support
PEF, Black Caucus plan receptions
Apply May 1 for Jean DeBow scholarship
PEF magazine, TV ad win big
2003 Election Rules Dates, Rules, Requirements

Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
PEF Pride Store
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this site? Email the comwebmaster.
Register here on the PEF Member Network.

Click Here email notice when next issue is online

Site Map    What's New    Search