Cookeville Police Have First Reported Save With EpiPen Program

The Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation recently had it’s first reported save with its EpiPen program.

Charles Womack helped start the program. In late March, Womack said a Cookeville Police officer responded to reports of a women experiencing breathing trouble due to an allergic reaction.

“The police arrived and had to force their way in to get to her,” Womack said. “They used an EpiPen because she was having a lot of trouble breathing. The epinephrine worked on her and she did alright after that.”

For the last few years, the CRMC Charitable Foundation has worked to provide EpiPens to law enforcement, local sports teams, and boy scout troops across the Upper Cumberland.

Last August, the Cookeville Police Department became the first organization to receive the EpiPens through the program. Three years ago, the state legislature passed a law that allows law enforcement to administer the EpiPens.

Womack and foundation executive director John Bell are continuing efforts to supply the EpiPens and renew prescriptions.

“This is a program that’s continuing and now having our first save it gives us a lot of impetus to keep doing this,” Womack said. “To save a life, that’s a great thing to do.”

Organizations and school systems that would like to take part in the EpiPen program can contact the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation.

“We will be happy to explain the program to law enforcement and school systems in counties further than around here,” Womack said.