lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia,com

During a meeting of the Perryville City Council on May 9, the council swore in a new K9 unit for the Perryville Police Department after their previous K9 officer, Liberty, passed away after four years of service.

“The city feels a significant loss,” said Perryville Mayor Rob Kernodle. Officer Larry Nunes has our condolences. We appreciate her time and Officer Nunes’ use of her to our city’s benefit. She was a great benefit. I think it is significant for a town of our size to have a K9.”

Perryville’s newest officer, Geo, was acquired from the same organization that provided Liberty, the Sector K9 Foundation.

Officer Larry Nunes was presented with a commemorative drawing of Liberty.

Late last month, a Perryville firefighter suffered a medical incident while fighting a structure fire. Perryville Fire Chief Nathan Stevens explained that the issue was not caused by the fire. He said that Perryville FD has begun having EMT volunteers at fires, who were there to catch the issue.

“It was an issue he had previously,” Stevens said. “It was just caught there. Luckily, we caught it just in time and made him go to the hospital; it was that severe. I have to give women firefighters I have credit for catching it like they did. Luckily, we have personnel who do nothing but monitor our health during a large fire.”

In response to the incident, Perryville FD policy has added that EMTs can force a firefighter off duty if necessary. In addition, the fire department and council have begun looking into funding EMT classes for interested firefighters.

“You can never have enough EMTs. Not in today’s world,” Stevens said.

In other news from the meeting, the council reappointed Anne Sleet to another term on the Danville-Boyle County Human Rights Commission.

“She is proud to serve on the committee and willing to continue to do so,” Kernodle said.