Carstairs Fire Department acquires new life-saving equipment

The Carstairs Fire Department now has a new piece of life-saving equipment.

Thanks to $10,000 from TC Energy and $11,000 from Alberta Health Services, the fire department was able to purchase a Lucas device.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed automatically by the Lucas device. When a patient is experiencing cardiac arrest, it will help Carstairs Fire do high quality, rhythmic, depth CPR.

"When we arrive on the scene, the firefighters will start CPR if needed, and then the machine will take over," stated Jordan Schaffer, Fire Chief for the Carstairs Fire Department.

According to Schaffer, usually it only take about two minutes before firefighters get tired and slow down when it comes to CPR. The new machine can last 50 minutes without stopping.

"We can actually transport a patient as well while the device is still operating."

This machine also increases the chance of having a patient walk out of the hospital after an accident, according to Schaffer.

"We have been in talks with Olds since they have one of these machines and they have said ever since they started using it, more patients have been able to walk out of the hospital."

Schaffer finished off by saying they couldn't be any happier now having this life-saving machine.

"It was a device that we've been wanting for about five years. We really didn't want to ask the local taxpayers to pay for it even though the town and county were on board. Luckily, we were able to find these two grants."

Near the beginning of the month, the Carstairs Fire Department took part in the 10th annual Firefighter Stair Climb. Five different firefighters took part in the event.

"The event supports firefighters and citizens in our community who are fighting cancer, with proceeds going towards Wellspring Alberta. This event spotlights firefighters and underscores the risks they take every day when they go to work. It also reflects how Wellspring Alberta’s mission relates to the important work they do," The Firefighter Stair Climb Challenge website stated.

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