By RITA JEAN WAGAR

GRANGER - When Granger Township trustees met March 14 the main topics of discussion were a presentation of an automated chest compressor system, comments from a community member about the need for a school levy and an ongoing zoning issue.

LUCAS 2 is the newest fire

department addition

A battery-operated chest compression system, known as LUCAS 2, was presented to Granger Fire and Rescue by Dr. Todd Zeiger of Sharon Family Physicians on behalf of University Hospitals. LUCAS, which stands for Lund University Cardiac Arrest System, was designed and developed in Sweden, the doctor said.

"It replaces an individual doing chest compressions, is safer, more efficient and will perform the task better than even a well-trained professional," said Zeiger.

Fire Chief John Hadam noted that "an individual will tire after several minutes, whereas LUCAS will perform the task for up to 45 minutes."

Both men stressed the fact that with LUCAS, which produces high-quality, uninterrupted help, chest compression can be continuously performed while a patient is being moved. In addition, using LUCAS frees paramedics and emergency medical technicians for other necessary tasks, they said.

LUCAS 2 is the second generation of the automated chest compression system.

"The older one, which was developed nine years ago, was bigger and bulky," Zeiger explained.

Second system will be purchased

Convinced that LUCAS 2 is a device that will provide better treatment to those needing CPR, the trustees will purchase a similar unit for the other rescue vehicle from Physio Control Co. of Redmond, Wash. The cost of the device is $12,500, but a $3,300 grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety will be applied to the purchase price.

Matter turned over to prosecutor

Annie George, interim zoning inspector, told trustees she delivered the file regarding alleged zoning violations by World Trucking Co., 3172 Ridge Road, to the Medina County prosecutor's office for review

Community member speaks

Granger Township resident Devon Griffin, who said his children have all graduated, shared his reasons for the need to pass the Highland School District operating levy on May 3. Among other reasons, he said the district has had no new money for instruction for the past 11 years, but enrollment has increased by 1,000. He said that among other cost-cutting measures - 40 positions have been eliminated - thus classes are getting bigger.

In urging support of the issue, Griffin said, "We must prepare our students for a global economy."

In other news

* Hadam said Granger Fire and Rescue responded to 24 rescue and 14 fire calls in February.

* Fiscal Officer Barb Beach reported that so far this winter season, the township has spent $122,712 for road plowing and salting.

* Trustees received a letter from Chris Martin, son of Fred and Claire Martin who were killed in a house explosion Feb. 7, and from Hinckley Fire and Rescue, thanking Granger Fire and Rescue for its help during the disaster.

* Do you have a complaint or concern about your tax evaluation? If so, contact the office of the Medina County auditor by March 31 to request a review.

Next meeting

Trustees have scheduled their next meeting for March 28 at 4 p.m. at the township administration building, 3717 Ridge Road.