Nebraska State Patrol receives a $6.4 million grant

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) including here in the Panhandle will soon have more lifesaving equipment for emergency situations.

NSP said every patrol car will have an Automated External Defibrillator thanks to a $6.4 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust. NSP will get 457 of the these defibrillators for marked and unmarked vehicles. Usually law enforcement arrives on the scene first and this will give them more capabilities.

“Whether it’s a motor vehicle crash or a motorist assist that we come across or even somebody just driving down the roadway that’s on the interstate or the highways,” said Lieutenant Brian Buxbaum NSP Troop E. “They start having a heart attack these AEDS are going to give us the opportunity when we come across them to be able to possibly to save their lives a lot sooner.”

NSP said troopers place the AED on the victim’s upper torso and read their diagnostics. If need be they can apply a shock in case of a heart attack. Also, the device connects to the internet to provide information to the responding EMS and hospitals. The community can reach out to the NSP when health issues arise.

“Hopefully, they’ll believe that they are going to be safer,” said Buxbaum. “They’ll believe that we’re going to be there for them to help them with whatever issues or problems that they’re coming across.”

NSP said the new defibrillators will be coming in the next month and all of Troop E will receive training.

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