With newly trained employees, Garden City gets safer




In the last three months of 2014, Village Clerk Brian Ridgway led training sessions in CPR, basic first aid, and AED (automated external defibrillator) for 69 Garden City employees. Three years ago the village formulated a safety committee, which is comprised of representatives from each administrative department within Garden City. There are close to 25 village employees on the committee that meet bimonthly to review any accidents that happened around town, or new safety precautions that need to be taken.

“We actually review injury reports of any employee so we can maybe learn from someone’s accident,” Ridgway said.

The committee was funded after a budget allocation last year. Ridgway says that addition allowed the 69 employees who volunteered their time to gain certification in CPR, AED and basic first aid. The certifications are for valid two years, and Ridgway said this is noted by a card in their personnel files.

“The employees become more valuable for us, not only for themselves but for their fellow workers, residents or any passers-by. These are life-changing skills they acquire,” he said.

Ridgway says the entire process went very smoothly, and he’s hoping a new batch of employees can become certified this year. The training sessions, held at the Village Board room in October, November, and December, were planned by Ridgway as he reviewed peak timing for the overall availability for village employees. He says for example, if classes were held in the middle of leaf season then those employees would be at a disadvantage for scheduling. The same conflict would apply for a few other departments in summer given the day-to-day activities.

“I don’t want to put them behind schedule,” Ridgway explained.

At the final class of 2014, held on December 6, Trustee Dennis Donnelly attended and witnessed employees’ new skills. At the board meeting, Mayor John Watras thanked Ridgway for his efforts and commended all village employees who participated, noting their willingness to better serve residents of Garden City. He referenced the local spirit of volunteerism and striving for elite-level services throughout village operations.



Leave a Reply