PTFD EMS News
Fire Department Receives Award to Purchase New Cardiac Monitors.
On September 1, 2020 the Painesville Township Fire Department received the “Assistance to Fire Department Grant” from the Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $112,695 to purchase 3 new cardiac monitor/defibrillators. The corresponding match for the department for this grant was $10,269. The purpose of the AFG grant is to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters by providing direct financial assistance for critically needed resources. The AFG grant is highly competitive and is designed to assist fire departments based on funding priorities established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Panels of judges from FEMA rank all submitted applications to evaluate how well the applications match with pre-established criteria. These rankings are then pared with available funds until all of the grant funds are depleted.
The department used the AFG grant to purchase 3 new Lifepak 15 Monitor/Defibrillators from Stryker Inc. . These monitor/defibrillators have replaced equipment that was considered obsolete and no longer being supported by the manufacturer. The new monitors have advanced capabilities that will provide the departments paramedics the best possible tools to make clinical decisions in the field and provide the best possible care for its patients. Keeping the department’s lifesaving equipment and technology up-to-date is important and has always been a priority for the department. The funding of the AFG grant has allowed the department’s emergency medical crews to purchase the most reliable and best possible equipment to provide better patient care for Painesville Township residents. In addition to the increased capabilities and reliability for patients the monitors have the added feature of CO monitoring built in to the units. This allows for firefighters to check the carbon monoxide levels of a patient in the event of a CO emergency in a home or business and gives the department the ability to monitor firefighters during and after fires to detect CO exposure and provide intervention when needed. With the purchase these 3 new monitor/defibrillators the department has now enhanced their ability to determine the appropriate care and transport destination for patients during medical emergencies which allows them to provide the highest quality care and ensures the best possible outcome for all patients.
(Left to right) Paramedics, Lt. Tony Iliano, Clint Buchanan and Gary Reed train on the new monitors.