Crown Point Fire Rescue’s CPR training program has 24 new adult and 24 new infant training mannequins thanks to a $6,000 grant from NIPSCO.
The grant also allowed for the purchase of four automatic external defibrillator training units. Firefighter paramedic Bryan Bodamer, the department’s CPR instructor, said the units feature technology, such as lights, that let the trainee know a procedure is being correctly performed.
Bodamer said the older units rely on the sounds that come from the compressions a trainee is making. Now, if the compressions are being properly applied, a light comes on indicating the trainee is performing the compressions the right way.
CPR classes are offered to the public by the department about every other month.
“This helps us better teach the folks who come in to learn CPR,” Bodamer said. Classes usually have between 20 and 25 participants.
“The classes are always filled,” Bodamer said.
Rich Calinski, NIPSCO public affairs manager, said the company’s workers often are on the front lines during storms and crashes and see the work by public safety professionals and first responders.
“I’m very proud on behalf of NIPSCO” to present the grant to help the department purchase the training mannequins, he said.
Capt. Dave Crane said teaching people CPR is important and the more people who know the procedure the better.
“It makes our jobs easier,” he said.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
