NEW AMBULANCE ARRIVES
Pleasant Prairie recently took delivery of a new 2007 Medtec ambulance. The new ambulance will provide consistent, reliable performance during emergency response calls and offers improved emissions that meet the current EPA standards. Since its arrival, Fire & Rescue has been working with service providers to properly outfit the ambulance with all of the equipment necessary to providing life saving assistance. The ambulance, along with the related equipment, was purchased as part of the 2007 budget year for $168,574.
The new ambulance will replace a 1992 model that was being used as a reserve unit. The 1992 model could no longer consistently offer the high level of performance that frontline emergency vehicles must provide. The 1992 model will be repurposed for storage and transport of specialized equipment used during extraordinary rescue situations. A 1999 ambulance will take its place as the reserve unit; and a 2001 unit along with the new 2007 unit will serve as frontline responders for emergency calls.
The Village began keeping a reserve ambulance in 1992. The reserve serves two basic functions. It acts as a backup in the event that a frontline unit is damaged or in need of repair, and it allows Pleasant Prairie Fire & Rescue personnel to respond to three emergency calls at the same time.
UPDATED HEART MONITORS AND AUTOMATIC DEFIBRILLATORS PURCHASED
During the 2007 budgeting process, funding was also approved for new heart monitors and automatic external defibrillators. Contracts to purchase these pieces of lifesaving equipment were approved during a December Village Board meeting.
The new heart monitor defibrillators will meet current American Heart Association standards and provide various benefits. Three monitors were ordered. One will be placed on each of the three active duty ambulances. The new, biphasic monitors:
• are 90% more effective than the monophasic monitors they replace;
• can transmit a digital ECG directly from the scene of an emergency to the hospital for earlier intervention;
• and offer other features for better analysis of the care being provided.
In addition to the new monitors, five new automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) were purchased. One AED will be placed on each of the three fire engines and in the two fire command vehicles. Each of these vehicles will be equipped with a new AED, basic first aid equipment and oxygen.
In the event that an engine or command vehicle is the first responder to the scene of an emergency, assessment and care can begin immediately. With these basic resources available, valuable time is saved during critical situations. The cost for the equipment was $71,930.