By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Goodwater Volunteer Fire Department is excited to announce that it is the recipient of a grant which enabled the department to purchase new equipment.
The department was recently awarded funds through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA. This grant allowed the department to place $50,000 worth of life-saving equipment into service at little cost to the department.
Goodwater VFD used the grant funds to purchase two LUCAS mechanical CPR devices for its ambulances. The department explained that these devices will free the hands of an EMT or paramedic, allowing continuous chest compressions to a patient suffering a cardiac arrest while allowing the care provider to administer other life-saving measures.
Goodwater has both LUCAS devices already in service on Medic 1 and Medic 3, allowing them to be immediately available whenever needed. The department also points out that having matching devices on each ambulance allows for seamless transition for providers, regardless of which ambulance they use to respond to a call.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants, or AFG, program from FEMA helps fire departments and first responders get equipment, training and other resources. The program strives to improve safety for firefighters and the public, and AFG grants can help with funding for emergency vehicles, protective gear, training, and firefighting equipment.
“The department is so thankful to receive funding from AFG for these devices,” Goodwater Fire Chief Elmore Unbehant said. “Automated CPR devices are game changers in the chances of survival during cardiac arrest. The automated device delivers high quality CPR at the right rate and depth with every cycle. The machine doesn’t get tired; this also frees the medic to do more with airway and drugs. All of this greatly increases the positive outcome for the patient.”
AFG has helped firefighters and first responders obtain critically needed equipment and more since 2001. As of September 30, 2024, FEMA has made 1,635 AFG awards totaling $324 million.
