Jefferson County Awarded Healthcare Grant through East Tennessee Foundation and Jefferson Healthcare Foundation

Jefferson County officials announced that the County has been awarded a healthcare grant through the East Tennessee Foundation and the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to expand access to lifesaving emergency equipment. The project was initiated and coordinated by the Jefferson County Mayor’s Office, with the Jefferson County EMS Community Training Center submitting the grant application on the County’s behalf. The grant provides funding for 20 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and 12 alarmed AED cabinets.

AEDs will be placed in public buildings, recreational sites, high-traffic community hubs, and within county maintenance vehicles. Installing AEDs in fleet vehicles extends coverage by enabling personnel—who travel widely across Jefferson County—to assist in cardiac emergencies, including in rural areas where immediate response may be more challenging.

In addition to the AEDs, the Jefferson Has HART Opioid Awareness and Prevention Program will also be adding the installation of “One Boxes.” These boxes contain the overdose reversal medication commonly known as Naloxone and will be strategically placed to expand public access in the event of an opioid overdose emergency. This addition further strengthens the County’s efforts to address substance misuse and provide immediate, lifesaving intervention when needed.

This initiative strengthens Jefferson County’s commitment to improving emergency readiness across all public facilities and ensures consistent coverage and faster access during critical moments, while also reinforcing the County’s focus on the safety and well-being of employees, residents, and visitors.

“We appreciate the foundations’ support in expanding lifesaving equipment throughout Jefferson County,” said Jefferson County Mayor Mark Potts. “These AEDs will enhance our emergency readiness and help protect our community.”

Jefferson County extends its appreciation to the East Tennessee Foundation and the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation for their investment in community health and safety, and to the EMS Community Training Center for its partnership in securing and implementing this initiative.