December 9, 2024 – Flagler County Fire Rescue has equipped all its ambulances with LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) devices that provide mechanical chest compressions to patients in cardiac arrest. The devices improve outcomes for cardiac patients and increase operational efficiencies for paramedics.
“We were very fortunate to get a $90,000-plus grant from the State Bureau of EMS Oversight that allowed us to purchase nine LUCAS devices – one for each ambulance, which is a tremendous benefit for our community,” said Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker. “They will greatly enhance the quality of care we are able to provide to our patients in cardiac arrest.”
In short, LUCAS devices create consistent chest compressions that, in turn, greatly improve the blood flow to the heart and brain. It also prevents paramedic fatigue, removes the need to switch CPR-giving-paramedics every two minutes, and can be used more effectively and safely during patient transportation.
“Our drivers often have to navigate hazardous road conditions,” Tucker said. “It can put paramedics in an unsafe situation if they are performing CPR while standing and unrestrained. With the LUCAS device they can sit safety belted while administering CPR.”
The Florida Department of Health, through its Bureau of EMS Oversight and EMS Trust Fund, has the authority to provide grants that improve and expand prehospital emergency medical services.
Flagler County Fire Rescue trained paramedics in the use of the LUCAS device in late November and continued with two-day classroom training – “12-lead ECG and STEMI: Critical Thinking for Improved Cath Lab Activation” – in Flagler County that included paramedics from neighboring counties Putnam and Volusia including the cities of Ormond, Daytona, Port Orange, and Edgewater.
Tim Phalen, with ECG Solutions, provided very technical cardiac care information to the class of about 20 paramedics.
“We (paramedics) aren’t cardiologists,” he said during a break. “We do a great job identifying obvious heart attack situations, but my goal is to provide information that will help to identify the situations that aren’t so obvious.”
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