As a public service for the area it serves, oil-gas pipeline company Magellan Midstream Partners LP  Wednesday morning presented a donation to purchase an automated external defibrillator for use at the Barton County Sheriff’s Office. 

“Back in October, I was contacted by (Justin Phillips with MMP) and he said that they would like to donate an AED to Barton County,” said Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller. The device has been ordered.

“Magellan has identified a need to get these AEDs in the communities where we work, and it is Barton County’s turn,” Phillips said. He was at the meeting Wednesday morning to present the check to the county for the purchase.

“They provide a tremendous life-saving tool for first responders to save lives,” he said. There was an internal company incident where someone’s life may have been saved had an AED been available, and that inspired them to launch this initiative.

 Phillips worked with Miller to determine where the need was and the BCSO was selected.

An AED is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It’s a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

Magellan has a terminal just east of Great Bend.