Packed house for CPR training at MFD in Marion.40 more residents of Marion were trained in CPR techniques on February 18 at the Marion Fire Department. It’s a joint project of MFD, Rotary Club of Linn County, and Hills Bank. This program has now trained about 250 community members over the last few years in Marion and Mount Vernon.
Students learned that bystander CPR triples the odds of a positive outcome from a cardiac event. Yet only about 46% of the time does bystander CPR happen, because no one knows how or is willing to take action. The goal is to get to 100% bystander CPR, said Marion Fire Chief Tom Fagan, who assisted in the training with 7 other Marion firefighters.
Marion Fire Chief Tom Fagan explains proper CPR technique to a group of Prospect Meadows board members. Fagan told students that bystander CPR is the key to sudden cardiac arrest survivability, and empowering residents to act fast can be the difference.
Pete King (right) had a cardiac arrest at a Linn-Mar football game in 2021 and quick CPR action on-the-spot by Marion Police Officer Brian Davis (center) and bystander nurse Jennifer Botsford saved his life. It meant Pete and Jan (left) could celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary last summer. Also in the picture are grandchildren Molly and Adeline, who are very happy they can still enjoy the company of their grandfather. Pete and Officer Davis both spoke to the CPR class about the importance of quick action.
Lead trainer Kale McBurney of the MFD explains CPR technique, including how to use an AED heart defibrillator.