Community briefs for Sept. 12, 2003

Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 | 9:15 a.m.

Automated CPR units being tested

Las Vegas Fire and Rescue is testing a battery-operated device that can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, something officials say could free one of the two people CPR usually requires.

The device, the only one being tested in Southern Nevada, is called "The AutoPulse Resuscitation System." It performs the chest compressions, and "can also do what most emergency responders can not do, such as deliver consistent, automated chest compressions during CPR, regardless of what position the patient is in," according to a statement released by the city.

The department will be testing the unit at two fire stations for the next several weeks.

Tribes receive aid for police officers

Five Nevada tribal police departments have been awarded a total of $1.1 million from Justice Department grants to hire and train police officers, buy equipment and upgrade technology, U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden of Nevada said.

The grants were awarded under the COPS Tribal Resources Grant Program, part of a broader federal initiative to increase tribal law enforcement agencies.

The grants pay 75 percent of salary and benefits of total project costs, up to $75,000.

Nevada's tribes include the Western Shoshones, Paiutes and Te-Moak.

The Moapa Band of Paiutes in Southern Nevada received $75,331.

Weekly offering help for teachers

Las Vegas Councilman Lawrence Weekly is offering $500 scholarships for four Ward 5 teachers to spend in their classrooms. Teachers are asked to submit an essay of 500 words or less on "How you would motivate students to get excited about education."

"A lot of our teachers are in need of those 'extras' in their classrooms that some of our other teachers take for granted," Weekly said in a prepared statement. "I wanted to do what I could to give our hard-working teachers a reward and to help them with purchasing extra supplies."

Interested teachers should submit their essay by 5 p.m. Monday, by fax at (702) 382-8558, or by e-mail (lweekly@ci.las-vegas.nv.us).