New life-saving equipment at Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue proves worth on first day

Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue recently took delivery of a state -of-the-art, electronic defibrillator, called the Zoll E series AED. The device delivers a precise level of electric shock to the heart in order to re-establish a correct heart rhythm.

On its first day on the job, the device saved the life of a Fairbanks woman.

According to Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Technician's (EMT) responded to a female with chest pain. After assessing the patient, she was placed on the new Zoll E AED and transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. During the transport the defibrillator recognized that the patient was experiencing cardiac arrest. The medical staff quickly engaged the defibrillator to deliver an appropriate shock, which put the patient into normal cardiac rhythm. The patient was awake and talking to the crew by the time the ambulance reached the hospital.

"Our medical crews had just a few days earlier finished training with the equipment," explained CGFR Chief Jack Willard. "We are gratified that the equipment worked as advertised, and proud of the men and women who knew how to use it."

The Zoll E AED has features not available in earlier models to analyze the rhythm during CPR, and advise the crew if they are performing proper CPR while in a moving ambulance.

The equipment, however, does not come cheap. The department received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to purchase two Zoll E AEDs, each at a cost of $31,000 each. The department's share of the purchase was $6,000.

"This is an example of how we are maximizing local tax revenue to stay current with training and technology that proves itself in saving lives and protecting property," said Chief Willard.

Another recent purchase was a 2009 Ford ambulance. The ambulance has new features that will enhance the safety of both the EMT and the patient.

Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue is a largely volunteer service that provides fire response and emergency medical care to more than 12,000 people within an 160 square mile region north and west of Fairbanks, including Chena Ridge, Murphy Dome, Goldstream Valley and Ester.

For more information, please contact CGFR at 907-479-5672.