Members of the city council approved the purchase of two new automated CPR devices for the fire department use in emergency situations after seeing a demonstration of the device.
“This is basically an extra set of hands for firefighters when we are on one of our most intensive calls,” explained Fire Chief Ken Krause during the meeting. During a presentation of the device by a representative of the manufacturer, Stryker, council members saw the plastic disc provide motorized compressions to a mannequin torso, Stryker representative Jamie Smith explained that the device is designed to provide consistent compressions to keep blood flow to the brain during medical emergency treatment by EMTs in the field.
“We can save brains as well as hearts by keeping the blood flowing,” she explained. She noted that few people are aware of how intense and tiring performing CPR is. The machine, she said, provides 102 compressions at 2.1 inches in depth which research determined was optimum in most cases. She explained that the machine could be updated remotely should there be innovations or changes to operating procedures. Training, she said, would be available and performed by her as she is a “nearby resident.”
Councilwoman Tina Talley asked how the manufacturer could be confident of the correct compressions for each individual. Smith said research showed that the device will fit 95 percent of the population and demonstrated the device beginning slowly and then increasing depth of the compressions.
Councilmembers asked various questions regarding the machine and it's effectiveness on heart patients and pacemaker users along with the possibility of the machine breaking a patient's ribs.
“The people this machine is used on are clinically dead and the EMTs are trying to bring them back,” Smith said. She explained that CPR would have been started by firefighters on the scene prior to engaging the machine and if ribs were broken, that would probably have happened prior to the use of the machine.
Krause also noted that Mayor Robert McCraight had been in contact with the Beaumont Foundation and that the machines may be funded by a grant.
Councilmembers unanimously approved the purchase and thanked Smith for the demonstration.
