Life-Saving Emergency Response Certification Offered

CHIPPEWA FALLS – Over 200 hundred individuals in rural Chippewa County can become certified with essential lifesaving skills that reduce emergency room visits and increase patient survival. The Community Foundation of Chippewa County has been awarded a $26,875 grant to bring American Red Cross® First Aid & CPR/AED Provider certification for no cost to rural communities throughout Chippewa County.

This opportunity is generously awarded from the Rural Collaboration Project grant by Compeer Financial, a Farm Credit cooperative.

Jill Herriges, Executive Director of the Community Foundation said, “Our ultimate desired outcome is to have healthier and safer communities throughout Chippewa County and to assist in maintaining our rural vitality.” 

This project aims to increase the number of trained first responders in 10 rural communities in Chippewa County. Because of long travel distances to healthcare facilities from rural regions, increasing the number of certified first responders can improve the survival rate of patients.

As the area’s leading healthcare education nonprofit, the Healthcare Workforce Training Institute will orchestrate over 20 trainings in Chippewa County. Their mission advances the quality and accessibility of healthcare certifications across Wisconsin.

Paula Gibson, Director of the Training Institute said, “With these skills, a person gains the confidence to respond in crisis situations and the ability to save a life. It gives them peace of mind and can make a difference in the community.”

American Red Cross® for First Aid & CPR/AED Provider classes begin December 6, 2024. Schedules will be available at www.healthcareworkforcetraining.com. Because of the generous grant from Compeer Financial, classes are free. The certification satisfies non-healthcare licenses requiring CPR and AED training. The public and non-licensed healthcare professionals are also encouraged to register.

The Community Foundation of Chippewa County is one of 13 community foundations across the upper Midwest to receive this grant from the Compeer Financial Fund for Rural America donor-advised fund.

Compeer Financial, the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, is committed to leading the way in pursuing a collaborative approach to rural vitality. Their vision centers around active, strong rural communities capable of supporting thriving economies.

“We see rural communities flourish when organizations and individuals unite around a shared purpose,” said Karen Schieler, manager of corporate giving at Compeer. “With this project, we’re able to support a multitude of efforts ranging from community and farming needs to education and entrepreneurship.”

As reported by the American Red Cross, 784 individuals from Chippewa County inquired about emergency training between July 2023 – June 2024; indicating that the need and interest are real. 

“We anticipate that participants will save lives. They will provide patient comfort and prevent situations from becoming worse,” responds Gibson.