ST. JOHNS — The St. Johns Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is a recipient of a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for the purchase of a new cardiac monitor.
“With this new cardiac monitor the St. Johns Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will be able to provide advanced monitoring and care for patients requesting emergency medical services,” said Brian Schlosser, chief.
The cardiac monitor has the ability to send a 12 lead diagnostic ECG to any receiving hospital when a cardiac patient is identified. The 12-lead ECG performed and transmitted from the field is vital in the early detection and prompt treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarctions (heart attack). The emergency department can prepare for early and rapid treatment.
St. Johns Volunteer Fire and Rescue personnel will utilize the cardiac monitor on every medical response for vital monitoring. Additionally, this monitor is equipped with end-tidal CO2 monitoring. End-tidal CO2 monitoring (ETCO2) is the hallmark monitoring parameter for patients with advanced airways. Additionally, ETCO2 provides critical feedback during cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Further, waveform capnography, a part of ETCO2 monitoring, provides an additional mode of assessment of respiratory status guiding EMS treatment. Monitoring waveform capnography also provides feedback on effective respiratory interventions.
“This grant for the purchase of a new cardiac monitor greatly benefits the department and most importantly the communities that the department serves,” said Schlosser.
The St. Johns Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is an independent, non-profit company staffed entirely by volunteer members. Fire suppression and Emergency Medical Services are provided through contracts with three townships over nearly 50 square miles. This includes sections of busy highways, Interstate 75 and US 33. Additionally, mutual aid services are provided to neighboring departments as needed. These contracted services are funded by levies in each respective township. Unfortunately the exponential rise of operating expenses and equipment has greatly exceeded the income from these levies. Fundraising, which has been instrumental since the department’s foundation, continues to be a necessary supplement in order to continue high quality fire and emergency medical services. The hard work of the department’s volunteers at roast beef dinners, pancake breakfasts, a lunch stand at the county fair, and casino nights over the past several years has allowed the department to replace nearly its entire aging and substandard fleet of emergency vehicles. This grant provides vital equipment and saves precious funds for operating expenditures.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Firehouse Subs founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to Mississippi where they provided food to first responders and survivors. As they traveled back to Florida, they knew they could do more and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born with the mission of providing funding, lifesaving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. Since its inception, the non-profit organization has granted more than $35 million to hometown heroes in 47 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $1.7 million in Ohio.
“We are sincerely appreciative for being selected as a recipient of such a valuable grant. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation’s work and dedication to the public service sector is truly invaluable,” said Schlosser.
