NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The New Rochelle Fire Department last week installed six new Automatic CPR devices, enabling them to deliver uninterrupted lifesaving circulation to patients in cardiac distress. The devices- $16,000 each- were obtained through an 85% federal FEMA grant. Department members have completed training and the devices are installed at each firehouse and will be carried on all medical calls.
“Our department regularly answers emergency calls involving cardiac arrest, which requires swift and immediate action,” said Fire Commissioner Lou DiMeglio. “Administering CPR can be especially challenging in tight places and during transport. As time is of the essence, these new devices will provide steady and consistent compressions while allowing our firefighters greater flexibility and mobility.”
“Other communities have reported as much as a 40% increase in the number of cardiac arrest patients that regain a pulse in the field with the use of this device,” noted Captain Barry Nechis, who coordinated the equipment purchase and training. The device was used on Friday when NRFD arrived at a scene where two patients were in cardiac arrest. The Lucas device was placed on one patient and firefighters performed manual CPR on the other. Both patients were transported and had pulses return when they arrived at the hospital.