Basic first aid, CPR classes offered in West Concord
Fri, 12/12/2025 - 8:13am
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By:
KAREN M. JORGENSEN EDITOR
Basic first aid and CPR classes will be offered in West Concord beginning in January, thanks to a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), said West Concord Ambulance Director Adam La Plount.
The grant was part of the SMIF Small Town Grants program.
La Plount was at the annual Christmas in West Concord event last Saturday to inform residents what will be available to the community through the Community Health Initiative.
Once a month, he said, there will be free basic first aid and CPR classes. The first session will be on Jan. 17. Those attending the class will receive a complimentary first aid kit and a complimentary CPR Anytime kit.
The CPR Anytime Kit is offered by the American Heart Association.
According to the AHA website, the kit includes basic first aid topics from choking to how to manage bleeding and how to place a tourniquet. The kits also include an inflatable Mini Anne CPR manikin that can be used to practice CPR and clicks when you have pushed to the proper depth.
The city is also planning on having monthly drop-in office hours at the Fire Training Hall, La Plount said. Free blood pressure and blood sugar (glucose) checks will be available, and there will also be a chance to ask questions about medications or just stop in to chat about health concerns.
Quarterly Health Education sessions are also planned, on topics including mental health, creating healthy lifestyles, and substance abuse and addiction.
The $10,000 grant, La Plount said, is for one year but, if it goes well, could possibly be worked into the budget to continue.
La Plount is West Concord’s first full-time ambulance director. The ambulance situation in West Concord has improved in recent months and in March, West Concord Fire and Ambulance was able to again cover all ambulance calls. The city had been relying on Dodge Center’s ambulance for several months to handle West Concord calls during daytime hours due to a lack of volunteers.
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