October 28, 2021 3:40 a.m.

Covering coastal Douglas County:

The Reedsport Volunteer Fire Department in partnership with the City of Reedsport has received just over $19,000 for the purchase of 10 Automated External Defibrillators for the community to utilize in an emergency.

Firefighters will be distributing the new units in the coming weeks.

A release said in the summer of 2007, the department began a mission to fund the purchase AED’s for school buildings, the senior center, and the emergency response vehicles operated by the fire department. The 9 AED’s currently available to the community have a life expectancy that will expire in February of next year.

Each AED costs approximately $1,800 and would not have been possible without the generous support of the community and a number of organizations. $15,000 has been received from the Autzen Foundation, along with donations from the Reedsport Rotary Club, the Gardiner-Reedsport Lions Club and a generous donation from Sheri Washington.

The release said the funding will replace the existing AED’s as well as add a 10th unit to the Community Building at City Hall.