Members of the Storm Ambulance and Rescue Corp. received training Aug. 18 on two new high-tech devices.
Storm Ambulance recently purchased a carbon monoxide/pulse oximeter for $3,755 and a Ferno Powerflex Stretcher for $9,800. The purchases were approved during Derby’s recent budget process.
Calls involving carbon monoxide alarms are common. Responding firefighters meter the air for carbon monoxide, then an ambulance crew checks out a patient.
The problem is that a blood test is the best way to determine the presence of carbon monoxide in a person’s body. If the person “feels” fine, it’s difficult to convince the patient to go to a hospital to get checked out, said David Lenart, an assistant chief with Storm Ambulance.
Now, thanks to the new device, an emergency responder can quickly get data about the carbon monoxide levels to the patient.
“The meter gives us the ability to see if they have carbon monoxide in their blood, on scene,” Lenart said. “The meter is not as definitive as a traditional blood test, but it gives a much better picture of what’s going on.”
The device works by attaching a sensor to a patient’s finger. It sends light waves into the patient’s finger to measure the amount of carbon monoxide present. After a few moments, the device gives a digital read out.
In addition to helping the average citizen who may have been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide — a clear, odorless gas — the new device represents a step forward in firefighter safety.
Firefighters wear masks while fighting a fire to protect themselves from dangerous air-borne chemicals. Once the fire’s out, the “overhaul” process begins. That’s when firefighters rip open walls and structures to see if there are any hot spots left over.
The danger comes when a firefighter — exhausted and pouring sweat after putting out the blaze — takes off his or her face mask while doing overhaul.
“That’s a terrible time to take a mask off, because all that smoldering rubble is giving off many dangerous chemicals, including carbon monoxide,” Lenart said.
Carbon monoxide poisoning in a firefighter can easily be checked off as “exhaustion,” Lenart said.
Now, the ambulance crews will have a chance to get a carbon monoxide reading off an “exhausted” firefighter at the scene.
“Now we can better grasp what the problem is,” Lenart said.
Meanwhile, the new power stretcher is meant to prevent back injuries for crews who ride Storm ambulances.
“In the ambulance world, you spend all day lifting people. The most common injuries are back injuries,” Lenart said.
The battery-operated power stretcher eliminates the need to lift people all day long.
Fully extended it can support up to 700 pounds. One the ground it can support 1,100 pounds.
The battery constantly recharges within the stretcher.
Mayor Anthony Staffieri, who observed the training session last week, said the new equipment is worth the money.
“We want to keep the ambulance providers healthy,” Staffieri said. “We’re blessed that we have so many volunteers.”
Here are the other items approved by the city’s capital planning committee and the Board of Aldermen.
Parks & Recreation
Replace Ryan Field Complex Field House Roof – $15,000
Field House Groomer for Ryan Field Complex – $11,200
Emergency Management
130 kw Generator for City Hall – $24,000
Derby Public Library
Repair Sheetrock & paint the upper level meeting room & offices – $8,000
Waterproofing of Original Building – $10,000
Highways
Narrowbanding of radio system – $12,420
Painting of Center Lines – $20,000
Police Department
(2) Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors (Marked) – $69,000
CAD and other software upgrade – $48,850
Storm Ambulance & Rescue Corps
Ferno Powerflex Stretcher – $9,800
Masimo Rad-57 Carbon Monoxide/Pulse Oximeter – $3,755
Derby Fire Department
Communication Upgrade & Frequency Modification – $20,000
Derby Senior Center
Remove and dispose of existing pavers and clean the existing concrete base. Provide a 1” depth of bituminous concrete with neoprene adhesive for pavers – $20,000
Board of Education
Replace Cracked cafeteria tables at Derby High School – $24,000
