BOULDER CITY – On a Monday night earlier this month, Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin laid lifeless on a football field as his stunned teammates stood and watched. It was a moment that those watching – both at the stadium and the millions on television – held their breath waiting for news on his condition. Had it not been for an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and CPR, the outcome could have been tragic. Months earlier, Boulder City Fire Department (BCFD) created a Community CPR/AED program to reduce the chance of death from a cardiac arrest in public places.
The Nevada Taxpayers Association and the Cashman family selected BCFD’s Community Risk Reduction Program as one of six finalists for the 25th Silver Anniversary Cashman Good Government Award. The Boulder City Fire Department won the category “Cities under 100,000” – an overall winner will be announced in Carson City in February. The award honors government entities and individuals whose ingenuity provides services to residents better, faster, and for less expense.
BCFD’s Community CPR/AED program aims to place 43 automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) every 300 feet inside businesses throughout the community. The locations of each AED are documented and given to the police dispatch center as well as placed on Pulse Point, a CPR/AED app used across the country. Businesses can also receive free CPR/AED classes, regardless of if they have an AED placed in their business.
The close proximity to members of the general public means that in the Boulder City business district, no one is ever more than ninety seconds away from an AED. “This potentially life-saving program exemplifies the core values of the Cashman Good Government Award,” said Taylour Tedder, City Manager. “I am proud of the hard work and dedication of Chief Will Gray and our Fire Department in keeping Boulder City a great place to live, work, and play. I also appreciate our Purchasing Manager Paul Sikora for submitting the program for this outstanding recognition.”
This is the second time Boulder City has been named a finalist. In January 2020, the City was recognized for its refinancing efforts with the 2006 Utility Revenue Refunding Bond. Refinanced at a 2.06% interest rate, the City has been able to reduce the term by four years, decrease annual payments by $95,000, and will result in a cost savings of approximately $4.8M Gross Present Value.
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