Former commissioner Talmadge Reed (back row, far left) attended the October 9 meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to thank those emergency medical personnel, who helped save his life, with a little assistance from a new CPR compression device (also shown). Pictured with Reed are: (front row, l-r) April Crook, Mark Justice, (middle row) Alicia Wade, David Wilson, and (back row) Martin Braden. During the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, Talmadge Reed, a former Lincoln County commissioner, took the opportunity to thank the men and women who saved his life.

The meeting was held Thursday, October 9.

Reed and Lincoln County Public Safety Director Ernie Doss presented framed certificates and commemorative pins to Chief Martin Braden, Firefighter-Paramedic Mark Justice, Firefighter-EMT April Crook, Firefighter-EMT David Wilson, and EMT student and EMS volunteer Alicia Wade.

Each individual received a round of applause from the commissioners and the audience.

Prior to the presentation, Director Doss said, "We have had a new piece of equipment, an automatic CPR device, on one of our ambulance for a month. In fact, we are the only ambulance service in the 13-county CSRA that is using the AutoPulse cardiac support pump.

"Since there are no hospitals in our rural community, we welcome any device that frees up manpower and allows us to devote more time to the patient," the director continued. "But I never thought I would have to use it on a friend, a neighbor, and a former commissioner."

Doss explained that the ambulance service received a call from the Double Branches area at approximately 2:15 p.m. on September 18. "When I arrived, I found another good friend (Reed's son, Tab) doing CPR on the spot. I place the AED (Automatic External Defibrillator), which I carry in my county vehicle, on Mr. Talmadge - it delivered a shock, and we continued CPR. Then, when the ambulance arrived, we started using the AutoPulse to do CPR.

"We had a pulse before we left the scene, and Mr. Talmadge was fussing at the ambulance crew before they got to Pollard's Corner. He was really fussing when he got to the hospital."

Doss added that since Reed's episode, the AutoPulse was used on another individual. "This lady was talking as they wheeled her into the emergency room at Wills Memorial.

"We have never had two cardiac arrest saves in two weeks -- maybe in a year - - but not two weeks. I believe these can be attributed to the equipment and the dedication and professionalism of our staff."

Director Doss then presented Reed with a commemorative pin.

In response, Reed, who served as a county commissioner for 36 years, said, "The EMS program was implemented while I was in office. As far away as we are from a hospital, I thought the ambulance service was the best thing that ever happened to Lincoln County. As of three weeks ago today, I know it is. Thank you."

Reed was rewarded with a standing ovation from those present.

In his comments, Commission Chairman Walker Norman reminisced about the history of the ambulance service, which was established in the late 1970s as a volunteer organization headed by the late Ted Adkins.

Speaking to Reed, the chairman said, "You are a dear friend and advisor and have meant an awful lot to the county, not only as a public servant but as a businessman as well. I just want you to know how much we appreciate you and love you, and we're glad you'll be here with us for a long time."

In his remarks, Commissioner Larry Collins said, "I think we need an AutoPulse on every ambulance. I expect to have the best and for it to be working, and everyone else expects the same."

The Finance Committee was instructed to work on purchasing an AutoPulse device for each of the county's three ambulances. The device that helped save Reed is on loan from the manufacturer.

It will cost the county a total of $45,000 for three AutoPulse machines.

In other business, the commission:

.. Heard the Department of Public Safety Report given by Director Doss, who said the ambulance and fire/rescue service responded to 104 calls for emergency assistance during the month of September. Call volume was down by 11 calls when compared to September of 2007.

Concerning the E-911 center, operators monitored 6,263 radio transmissions and dispatched a total of 551 public safety, law enforcement, and fire calls.

.. Heard the Department of Public Works Report given by Director Roby Seymour, who said his office billed 1,345 water customers and 491 "availability customers" last month for a total of $51,746.62.

Concerning roads, the director reported that his staff has been busy scraping roads; working on signage; hauling soil, asphalt, rock, and crushand run; bush-hogging; clearing trees; cleaning out bridge culverts; changing out pipe; pulling shoulders; repairing driveways; and clipping roads for striping.

In other items of information, Seymour reported that the state has striped the following county roads: Plantation Point Road, Ashmore- Barden Road, Gill's Point Road, Hephzibah Church Road, Maxim Road, and Rowland-York Road. The total cost was $10,000.

.. Heard the Recreation Department Report given by Director Kathie Davis, who indicated that the soccer season will end Monday, October 20. "We have four teams in the 5 to 7 age group, four teams in the 8 to 10 age group, and a travel team in the 11 to 13 age group."

She further noted that football registration will continue through Friday, October 17. The season is scheduled to begin the week of November 10.

In conclusion, Director Davis said work continues on the new gymnasium at the Curry Colvin Recreation Complex. Due to a delay in pouring the gym floor, the building is not expected to reach completion until sometime in November.

.. Heard the Finance Department Report given by Director Traci Bussey.

.. Heard the Planning and Zoning Report given by Director Meg Burg, who said that no business licenses were issued by her office during the month of September.

Regarding code enforcement, 29 building permits were issued last month for a total of $2,113 and 64 building inspections were conducted.

Moreover, as of September 30, $20,554 in delinquent manufactured housing taxes has been collected.

.. Voted to send a variance request concerning a parcel of land on Cherokee Country Club Road (Georgia Carolina Boat Club) back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The item will appear on the agenda for the October meeting of the commission.

.. Voted to grant a final plat revision determination for the Charleston Bay subdivision on Tabernacle Church Road. The request was made by developer Larry Courtney.

.. Voted to adopt a text change to the Land Development Code which will serve to lower the minimum square footage required for a building permit for a new home from 1,150 to 1,000.

.. Voted to approve a cash bond reduction request for the Serenity Pointe subdivision in the amount of $165,210.20, leaving a balance of $1,051,376.23 in the account.

.. Voted to award a two-year contract for metal recycling to Elam Transport (Community Clean), owned by Booker T. Elam. The county will receive 25 percent of the market price per gross ton.

.. Voted to sign a resolution stating that the county will take over the section of Highway 79 from New Petersburg Road to Highway 378; whereas, New Petersburg Road will be added to the State Highway System.

The commissioners also signed a road maintenance agreement with the Georgia DOT.

The next regular meeting of the commission will be held Thursday, November 13, at 6 p.m. in the courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse.