Walter Rippy, III and Thida Donel of the Westfield Fire Department recently educated the Lions on different types of emergency equipment. (Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club)
Posted By: The Reporter April 30, 2026
Equipment plus training can save lives
By JEFF LARRISON
Westfield Lions Club
At a recent Westfield Lions Club meeting, Westfield Fire Department (WFD) Community Paramedic Walter Rippy, III and WFD Community Risk Reduction Specialist Thida Donel provided training to the Lions on various emergency equipment and supplies located in the Lions’ community center. This included explaining what specific equipment and supplies are on hand and how to use them.
The Westfield Lions Foundation, the Club’s 501(c)(3) charitable organization, purchased the equipment and supplies for the Club and installed them in the building so that the Lions and renters of the community center would have them available in case of an emergency. Those supplies include AED machines, multiple first aid kits, NARCAN doses, burn kits, and fire extinguishers.
The Lions will get additional Westfield Fire Department training on how to apply doses of NARCAN. Theft will also get CPR training and certification. Eventually the Lions and WFD plan to extend this training to the public at no charge.
For more information on the Westfield Lions Club, how to become a member, and how to rent their community center, go to WestfieldLions.org.
For more information on the Westfield Lions Foundation, including how your donations could be tax deductible, go to WestfieldLionsFoundation.org.
