Over $600,000 in Rural Health Initiative Grants Awarded

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced that additional $693,198 in rural health funding has been awarded to 56 Rural Automated External Defibrillator projects located in 37 of Michigan's 58 rural counties.

"Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Michigan and from 1994 to 1998, nearly 5,000 Michigan residents died from sudden cardiac arrest," said Haveman. "I am proud to fund these projects because by making defibrillators widely available to Michigan's rural communities, we can reduce the risk associated with sudden cardiac arrest."

The Automated External Defibrillators will be placed with life support and law enforcement agencies, health care facilities and clinics, schools and community centers. In addition, more than 2,900 people will receive training on how to properly use the devices. Once these projects are completed, 415 additional defibrillators will be available in rural Michigan.

In addition to state Rural Health Initiative funds, rural communities have offered $728,610 dollars in local matching funds, along with thousands of volunteer hours. The following projects have received awards:

South Central and Southwest Michigan
** Cass County will receive $17,554 to purchase 12 defibrillators and train 50 people.

** Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Cass County will receive $16,472 to purchase nine defibrillators and train 30 people.

** Reading Emergency Unit, in Hillsdale County, will receive $25,000 to purchase 11 defibrillators and train 129 people.

** St. Joseph County Intermediate School District will receive $25,000 to purchase 22 defibrillators and train 30 people.

** The City of Sturgis will receive $15,141 to purchase 11 defibrillators and train 100 people.

Mid Michigan
** The Barry County Sheriff's Office will receive $22,610 to purchase 19 defibrillators and train 162 people.

** The Clare County Sheriff Department will receive $6,949 to purchase four defibrillators and train 12 people.

** The Gladwin County Sheriff's Department will receive $15,130 to purchase nine defibrillators and train 26 people.

** The Ithaca Rescue Squad will receive $3,750 to purchase one defibrillator and train 15 people.


** Great Lakes Renal Network, in Gratiot County, will receive $1,799 to purchase one defibrillator and train 20 people in their Isabella County clinic.

** Mid-Michigan Community Fire Department, in Gratiot County, will receive $4,101 to purchase two defibrillators and train 25 people.

** Alma/St. Louis Rotary Club will receive $3,500 to purchase two defibrillators and train 10 people.

** Lake Odessa Fire Department will receive $4,275 to purchase two defibrillators and train 11 people.

** The Ionia County Sheriff's Department will receive $16,396 to purchase 10 defibrillators and train 80 people.

** Montcalm County Emergency Services will receive $25,000 to purchase 17 defibrillators and train 51 people.

** Marion Community Fire Department, in Osceola County, will receive $2,200 to purchase one defibrillator and train 10 people.

** The Osceola County Sheriff Department will receive $12,704 to purchase nine defibrillators and train 32 people.

** Memorial Healthcare Center in Shiawassee will receive $25,000 to purchase 20 defibrillators and train 180 people.

Thumb Area
** Sanilac Medical Control will receive $25,000 to purchase 12 defibrillators and train 135 people.

Northern Lower
** Alcona County will receive $24,255 to purchase 18 defibrillators and train 110 people.

** Alpena County will receive $25,000 to purchase 18 defibrillators and train 136 people.

** East Jordan Emergency Medical Services will receive $5,666 to purchase two defibrillators and train 20 people.

** Charlevoix Area Hospital will receive $5,055 to purchase three defibrillators and train 280 people.

** Boyne Valley Township Fire & Rescue will receive $3,000 to purchase one defibrillator and train 18 people.

** Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency, in Charlevoix County, will receive $25,000 to purchase 14 defibrillators and train 69 people.

** Community Memorial Hospital in Cheboygan will receive $6,960 to purchase four defibrillators and train 40 people.

** Northern Michigan Hospital Foundation, in Emmet County, will receive $25,000 to purchase 13 defibrillators and train 70 people.

** The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will receive $11,250 to purchase five defibrillators and train 50 people.

** The Iosco County Sheriff's Department will receive $11,100 to purchase six defibrillators and train 25 people.

** The Kalkaska County Sheriff's Office will receive $15,000 to purchase 10 defibrillators and train 30 people.

** Leelanau Emergency Management Emergency Medical Services will receive $11,750 to purchase five defibrillators and train 50 people.

** Mecosta County will receive $15,945 to purchase 10 defibrillators and train 30 people.

** Missaukee County Emergency Medical Services will receive $4,901 to purchase three defibrillators.

** Newaygo County Medical Control Authority of Gerber Memorial Hospital will receive $13,880 to purchase eight defibrillators and train 40 people.

** Oceana County Emergency Ambulance Services will receive $25,000 to purchase seven defibrillators and train 50 people.

** Posen First Responders, in Presque Isle County, will receive $1,800 to purchase one defibrillator and train 20 people.

** The Roscommon County Sheriff Department will receive $3,525 to purchase two defibrillators and train 40 people.

** The Denton Township Police Department, in Roscommon County, will receive $1,500 to purchase one defibrillator and train four people.

** The Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority will receive $8,707 to purchase five defibrillators and train 30 people.

Upper Peninsula
** The Alger County Sheriff Department will receive $17,375 to purchase seven defibrillators and train 47 people.

** Burt Township, in Alger County, will receive $16,622 to purchase seven defibrillators and train 35 people.

** Baraga County Memorial Hospital will receive $8,825 to purchase five defibrillators and train 30 people.

** The Chippewa County Chapter of the American Red Cross will receive $25,000 to purchase 20 defibrillators and train 56 people.

** The Gogebic County Sheriff Department will receive $4,092 to purchase three defibrillators and train 22 people.

** The Grand View Health System will receive $1,874 to purchase one defibrillator and train 24 people.

** Ironwood Public Safety Department will receive $4,185 to purchase three defibrillators and train 15 people.

** Portage Health System in Houghton and Keweenaw counties will receive $25,000 to purchase 14 defibrillators and train 100 people.

** Upper Peninsula Association of Rural Health Services will receive $9,187 to purchase five defibrillators for their Dickinson, Menominee and Ontonagon clinics and train 15 people.
** Mackinac Straits Hospital and Health Center will receive $25,000 to purchase 17 defibrillators and train 51 people.

** Bell Memorial Hospital, in Marquette County, will receive $9,750 to purchase six defibrillators and train 26 people.

** Marquette City Community Center will receive $1,964 to purchase one defibrillator and train 10 people.

** Marquette City Fire-Rescue will receive $4,658 to purchase two defibrillators and train 26 people.

** Marquette Parks and Recreation will receive $8,196 to purchase four defibrillators and train 52 people.

** Forsyth Township Emergency Medical Services, in Marquette County will receive $6,483 to purchase two defibrillators and train 12 people.

** Sonco Ambulance operating in Southern Ontonagon County will receive $3,512 to purchase two defibrillators and train 160 people.

** The Ontonagon County Sheriff's Office will receive $9,600 to purchase six defibrillators and train 15 people.