When a person suffers cardiac arrest, the first responder’s resuscitation efforts significantly impact the person’s chance of survival. Thanks to the proceeds generated from the Spencerport Carnival, the Spencerport Fire District – which serves the residents of Ogden, Spencerport, and South Parma – now has cutting-edge CPR equipment that can help save lives with its consistency and effectiveness.
The LUCAS 3 device helps first responders perform high-quality automated CPR compressions for longer, which improves survival and neurological outcomes. “The LUCAS Chest Compression System was designed to better provide high-quality CPR all the time versus manual CPR,” said Lieutenant Cole Tresohlavy. The device can give seamless chest compressions even while maneuvering the patient in difficult areas or down stairs, to the gurney, and while loading in and out of the ambulance with no pause.
Manual compressions have diminishing quality as the person tires, and every two minutes the first responder trades off to another person to perform the compressions for two more minutes. Tresohlavy, who has been an EMT for eight years at Spencerport FD, said: “In some cases, we provide chest compressions for up to an hour, and now with this device, we will give the person their best chance for the best outcome.”
Firemen’s Association Vice President Adrian DeJesus said, “The unit cost approximately $20,000, and thanks to the generosity of the community at the Spencerport Carnival this year, we were able to purchase this unit and give it to the Fire District as a way to give back to the community.”
In September, 100 members of the Fire Department received training on the device. It has been aboard the primary EMS vehicle since early November and is ready for use.
According to DeJesus, who has served at SFD for 15 years and also worked for the 911 Call Center for 14 years, “There is a strain on the EMS system with a steady increase in the volume of calls which is causing a delay in ambulances.” The Spencerport Fire Department can be first on the scene and begin life-saving CPR. The LUCAS device can administer that CPR for as long as is needed until the ambulance arrives, improving survival odds.
The Spencerport Fire Department introduced the LUCAS Chest Compression System to the community during its annual open house in October. “It was a well-attended event,” said DeJesus.
To see the system in use, go to https://youtube.com/shorts/
bFz3B4CDQPY.
