Marion County Fire District Board of Director's Approves Purchase of Life-Saving Equipment

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In January 2010, Marion County Fire District No. 1 was awarded federal grant money from the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS/FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter's Grant Program. Among other items, the $420,000 award was granted for the purchase of emergency life saving equipment.

On Wednesday, July 20th, at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Marion County Fire District No. 1 Board of Directors approved the purchase of eight (8) new Physio-Control Lifepak 15 Multi-Platform Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillators, valued at over $277,000. This award was made ofter a ninety-day performance evaluation, including a sealed bid process.

These monitors will allow MCFD1 Medics to provide advanced life-support cardiac monitoring, emergency defibrillation, vital monitoring, as well as monitor carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen levels evaluation. These are essential tools needed to treat and manage house fire victims, smoke inhalation patients & emergency cardiac patients.

Additionally, this state-of-the-art tool, comes equipped with a 12-Lead cardiac monitoring feature, that allows MCFD1 Medics to more quickly determine if a cardiac patient is suffering from a heart attack. With this information, MCFD1 Medics can then notify Salem Hospital's Emergency Room Physicians and Surgeons who can then be standing by at hospital to take the patient to surgery, saving critical minutes that could mean the difference of life and death. Presenting, MCFD1 Medics are the only EMS units in Marion County authorized to perform this service.

Medtronics Corporation, the manufacturer of the cardiac monitors, anticipates delivery of the new defibrillators to MCFD1 with the next 30-45 days.



Author:Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority Release