Donated equipment helps Lima Fire Department keep hearts pumping

Oct. 28—LIMA — The Lima Fire Department has new tools to keep you "viable" if they ever need to rescue you after heart issues.

The department acknowledged the donation of $40,000 worth of equipment by Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center on Wednesday for six machines that can restart a heart and keep it going until it arrives at the hospital and can receive care there.

"We're all on the front line, but our job is we go into homes, and we provide services to save lives," LFD Chief Andy Hefner said to Mercy Health officials Wednesday. "We want to make sure that we get them to viable."

The department received two Zoll AutoPulse automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation machines. The machines, which will be placed on two LFD emergency squad vehicles, start CPR on a person after he's placed inside its chest bands, then it keeps pumping and circulating blood.

The department also received four Zoll AED-Plus automated external defibrillators to put aboard frontline fire engines. A calming robotic voice walks trained professionals through the steps of CPR. It even tells you when to push harder or softer, Hefner said.

The goal is bringing patients to the hospital with the best possible chance of recovery, said Beth Keehn, director of government and community relations for Mercy Health-St. Rita's.

"We're constantly investing in new technology and the latest care to really bring that advance life-saving treatment to all our patients," Keehn said. "We can't do that if they don't come to us in a position to make that happen. So it's in the best interest of the entire community that our frontline workers have everything they need to do their job to the best of their ability."

Hefner said his department appreciated how easy to use the new technology was.

"Even though we're trained professions, you need simplicity," he said. "When things go bad, you don't have time to think."

Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter @Lima_Trinko.