EVANS, GA – Columbia County Fire Rescue is answering the community’s call for CPR training by launching a series of courses starting this month.

In response to high demand, the county will begin offering CPR courses twice a month, starting on Tuesday, April 22nd, at the Columbia County Emergency Operations Center in Evans. The courses will be taught by volunteers from the Columbia County Fire Rescue team, with each course designed to cater to different needs within the community.

The training will be split into two distinct categories: one for civilians who wish to learn life-saving CPR techniques, and another for professionals who require CPR certification for their jobs. The cost for attending the course is $25, which covers the completion card that is valid for two years.

Robert Rosier, a volunteer course trainer with Columbia County Fire Rescue, highlighted the importance of CPR training for the community. “Studies from the American Heart Association show that 70 to 75 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home,” Rosier explained. “This means the person you’re most likely going to be performing CPR on is your family member. That’s why learning CPR is so important.”

Rosier also noted that the courses have been available for years but have not received much attention until recently. “We’ve been offering these for years, but we just haven’t had the attention we need to get people in the door. Now, we’re offering them every month, and once a quarter, we’ll also be offering a first aid course on Saturdays.”

The two types of courses differ in their scope. The civilian course is designed to be more straightforward, omitting certain advanced techniques like checking for a pulse. This decision was made to reduce confusion and anxiety among non-professionals who may be uncertain about whether a pulse is present. On the other hand, the professional course is more intensive, covering advanced skills such as ventilation techniques and the use of specialized airway equipment.

The first CPR course will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22nd, at the Columbia County Emergency Operations Center, located on Ronald Reagan Drive in Evans. The location of future courses may vary, with plans to offer Saturday first aid courses on a quarterly basis.

For those interested in attending, registration is encouraged, and the fee is payable at the time of the course. This initiative reflects Columbia County’s commitment to providing residents with essential training that could ultimately save lives in emergency situations.

For more information on course availability and registration, residents can contact the Columbia County Fire Rescue.