They Henry County Update - March 14, 2014

March 14 , 2014

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Regular Meetings March 18th - 6:30 PM April 1st - 9:00 AM

Meetings held at: Administration Building Community Room 140 Henry Parkway McDonough, GA 30253

Sheriff Expands Deputies’ Life Saving Abilities

Minutes matter when a heart attack strikes and having the right equipment and properly trained personnel close by can make a life-saving difference. To better prepare his Deputies to assist sudden cardiac arrest victims, Sheriff Keith

employees to train on CPR and the use of AEDs so the next logical step was to make the AEDs available wherever we are,” stated McBrayer.

The AEDs issued by the Sheriff were purchased from federally seized

Regular Commission meetings will air Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays on Henry TV Channel 14 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, at 9 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Deputies and supervisors receive familiarization training on the new AEDs.

McBrayer has acquired 120 high quality Automatic Electronic Defibrillators (AEDs) for each of the Sheriff’s Office vehicles.

“We already require our

drug funds and no tax money was used.

An AED is a medical device that when properly applied analyzes the heart’s rhythm. After determining the status of the Continued on Page 3 the henry county update

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March 14, 2014 Fire Department Acquires Tank Truck Rollover Simulator

Earlier this week, the Henry County Fire Department demonstrated its new Tank Truck Rollover Simulator and is the only department in the Atlanta Metro area to possess the approximately $7,500 training apparatus, thanks to a generous donation by the Henry County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

The training simulator was debuted during the LEPC meeting held Thursday, March 6 at the Henry County Emergency Operations Center on Industrial Blvd. in McDonough, where Captain J. Burnette, LEPC Chairman, led the meeting and explained how the simulator works.

According to Captain Sabrina Puckett, PIO with the Henry County Fire Department, the specialized piece of equipment will greatly enhance and augment training for mitigating incidents involving tanker trucks.

She said transport vehicles can potentially haul anything from milk, to highly flammable fuel, to dangerous hazardous materials and possessing the simulator will

Lt. Lucas Harmsen, with the Henry County Fire Department, explains the advantages of the new Tank Truck Rollover Simulator, donated to the department by the LEPC.

henrycounty-ga.org

greatly enhance Henry County’s abilities to conduct realistic training, resulting in the most efficient and professional emergency services and protection for the citizens and businesses of Henry County.

Fire Chief Bill Lacy expressed his gratitude for the generous donation. “We are very appreciative of our relationship with the LEPC. This equipment will enhance our training and response capabilities,” he said.

The Henry County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is comprised of public officials, industry representatives and private citizens, and was established to respond to a hazardous chemical environment, develop a comprehensive emergency plan for the community, receive information about accidental chemical releases and collect, manage and provide public access to information on hazardous chemicals in the community. New members are always welcome. Please email lepc@co.henry.ga.us for details.

Henry County Fire Department personnel demonstrate the gear required when responding to a HAZMAT incident.

Sheriff AEDs from page 1 heart rhythm, if necessary, it delivers an electrical shock, known as defibrillation. This helps the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

Henry County Sheriff’s Deputies are in contact with hundreds of people every day while performing the duties of the Sheriff’s Office. Most are at the facilities where they provide security such as the county court facilities, the county public schools and the Sheriff’s facilities. Deputies also interact with the public in places of business, personal residences, and while performing their constitutional duties across all of Georgia. This places Deputies at a greater likelihood for encountering a victim of a heart attack.

It is well published in information available through the American Red Cross that sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Their statistics indicate that it can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere and at any age. The American Red Cross also states that an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is the only effective treatment for restoring a regular heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.

The American Red Cross goes on to report that the consensus on science for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) agreed that sudden cardiac arrest can be treated most effectively by a combination of CPR and Defibrillation. This is important to all first responders.

The 2014 update from the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that more than 1,000 people suffer non-traumatic cardiac arrest outside hospitals, including about 26 children, each day in the U.S. Overall survival rates are approximately 10 percent. Among young victims, the survival rate is about five percent.

The AEDs were selected by the Sheriff because of their advanced technology, light weight, durability and

Certified training instructor Sgt. Marc Johnson explains the proper way to use the new AEDs

ease of use. “They have batteries that last four years without recharging and are guaranteed to withstand the environment where they are carried for seven years,” said McBrayer.

Cardiac Science identifies these units as being “Rescue Ready” and says each unit performs a selfcheck on all main components every day and provides an indicator if there are any issues.

Refresher classes are being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Training Unit supervisor Sgt. Marc Johnson. Although most AEDs operate in a similar manner the training provided is specific to the features of these lifesaving units.

The possibility of a Deputy being in close proximity to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest may make a difference during those first few critical minutes.

“We are equipping our Deputies to preserve life until the victim can receive advanced care from medical professionals. This is especially important since we are available during critical incidents like the severe weather conditions we have experienced in the recent past,” said McBrayer.

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March 14, 2014 Commissioners Mull Three Finalists For County Manager Position

The Henry County Board of Commissioners has pared down the list of applicants for the County Manager position and has named the three finalists in a search that began late last year, after former County Manager, Fred Auletta, shifted to take on the role of Henry County Finance Director. The county manger search was conducted by The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia, and initially attracted more than 50 candidates for the position. The three candidates under consideration are Lyndon L. Bonner, Michael C. Harris and James “Jim” Walker, Jr.

Lyndon L. Bonner, from Ocala FL, received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Master’s of Business Administration from Webster University in Missouri.

With more than 20 years of government administration experience, serving as both a city manager and county administrator in rural communities as well as large urban jurisdictions, he most recently served as

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the City Manager for the City of North Miami Beach where he managed 422 employees and oversaw a budget of $111 million. He also served as County Administrator for Okeechobee County, Florida, as well as Interim Assistant County Administrator/Special Projects manager for Sumter County Florida. Earlier in his career, he was City Manager for several years in Bunnell, FL, and worked as Director of Public Services in Dunnellon, FL.

Michael C. Harris, from Stockbridge, GA, is currently the Interim County Manager for Henry County and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Howard University. He has been with Henry County Government for the past 15 years, and as Interim County Manager is responsible for overseeing the management of nearly 1,600 employees. Harris began his career in Henry County Government as a Civil Engineer, moving up the ladder to Development Plan Director and then Public Works Director. Prior to taking

Commissioners Approve SPLOST IV Resolution Prioritizing a Project List

After nearly two hours of discussion, the Henry County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution prioritizing the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) IV project list and, approving $11,250,000 to be financed, with $9,100, 000 allocated to District V for a new park and the West Panola Road project, and $2,150,000 to District II for a senior/recreation center. The resolution was approved in a 5-1 vote, with Chairman Tommy Smith voting against it. The action came at a called evening meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2014.

The SPLOST IV referendum was approved by voters on the November 5, 2013 ballot and is expected to generate an estimated $190,000,000 over six years, to be used for capital projects. SPLOST IV revenue won’t begin to be collected until April, 2014.

Much of the discussion centered on the question of whether to bond or pursue other financing options, in order to complete certain projects, with several commissioners offering their opinions on the bonding issue.

District IV Commissioner Reid Bowman said that bonding doesn’t make sense, as the high interest could be used toward other projects and due to the length of most projects, many of them can’t be accomplished in

a time frame that justifies the cost of bonding.

“I’m personally not for it (bonding), because it doesn’t make good business sense,” said Commissioner Bowman. “I think at the end of the day, each district can get what they need and what they want, you just won’t get it within 12 months.”

With the resolution approved, Commissioner Bruce Holmes said he will pursue financing to begin two projects in District V, including the creation of the Bellamy Brothers Memorial Park. Later, he said that the new park will bring additional beautification to Fairview.

“The new park will help attract much needed commerce and green space to Fairview. From an economic development prospective, I think the park will be a home-run for the area as we move forward in creating a health and wellness community,” he said.

The resolution also states that Districts V and II will be responsible for the interest, the fees will be prorated and loans are to be paid off before any other funding is received from SPLOST IV.

For more information on the SPLOST department or to see a complete project list, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/splost.

The Henry County Police Department is now using YouTube! The purpose is to work in partnership with our citizens in solving and reducing crime.

www.youtube.com/user/HenryCountyPoliceDpt

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March 14, 2014 Intergovernmental Lease Agreement Approved With McIntosh Community Service Board

The Henry County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental lease agreement with McIntosh Community Service Board to lease the former transit building located at 96 Work Camp Rd. The 2,200 square foot space will be used by the agency to facilitate its Peer Support Program. The action came at the March 4 regular Commission meeting.

McIntosh Community Service Board currently utilizes space in the Henry County Health Department building as well as in the Henry County Developmental Disabilities Services building and both locations are

currently at or beyond capacity in regards to available space.

The state funded Peer Program, which serves individuals with mental illness and addictions, will operate 3 to 5 days per week, and only serve Henry County residents. According to the intergovernmental lease agreement, the program will pay all utilities and the lease is for a 12 month term beginning on May 1, 2014 and will renew annually for three consecutive years unless otherwise terminated.

Fire Hydrant Servicing Henry County Firefighters began servicing fire hydrants on March 1, 2014 and will continue through the month. henrycounty-ga.org

County Manager from page 4 on the Interim County Manager role, Harris served as Henry County’s Community Development Division Director, where he oversaw several departments, including, but not limited to, Building, Planning and Zoning, Environmental Compliance and CDBG.

James “Jim” Walker, Jr., from Orange Beach, AL, earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Austin Peay State University and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

With 16 years of experience in government, he most recently served as a State Liaison for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility for Alabama and Mississippi in the

aftermath of the BP Gulf Coast oil spill. He also served for several years as the Director of Homeland Security for the State of Alabama, and previously as a Strategic Consultant for Public-Private Strategies, Inc. He served in the United States Army from 1981 to 2002 where he was an Infantry Lieutenant Colonel and Airborne Ranger.

The Henry County Board of Commissioners expects to make its final decision after the required 14day waiting period.

(Editor’s Note: Interim County Manager, Michael Harris, is no longer under consideration for the county manager position as he has accepted a position elsewhere.)

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