NOLENSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In an emergency, every second counts. Nolensville police officers will now have one more tool to help patients when time matters most.
TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center recently donated twenty bag valve masks (BVMs) to the police department. The move came after Nolensville police said they saw seen an uptick in medical 911 calls.
"We're ready to give you the highest level of care," Nolensville police officer Christina Sabol told News 2.
They said the department took inventory and found they needed more life-saving equipment. Each officer will have one in their unit.
"We utilize them to deliver rescue breaths when we are on-scene with a victim who may have cardiac arrest or some other condition that necessitates CPR," Sabol said.
Officers said they're often first on scene and the masks allow them to essentially ventilate patients until paramedics arrive.
"We really honestly feel supported and loved by our community," Sabol added. "It really strengthens our bond and our desire to go out and provide a really high level of service."
The BVMs can also help officers provide care if a patient is overdosing.
"The bags can help assist with the Narcan getting into the system," Sabol explained. "After we apply it, [we can] utilize the bag to push that Narcan through the airway."
The Nolensville Police Department urged the community to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of heart-related emergencies.
Residents were encouraged to participate in CPR training programs, such as those offered by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
