The Chanhassen Fire Department responds to incidents involving cardiac arrest on a regular basis within the city. Specialized equipment has been purchased to ensure the best outcomes possible for these types of incidents.
The LUCAS device is a battery operated device placed on a pulseless patient and provides continuous, pre-programmed compressions in compliance with medical direction for cadence and compression depth. The fire department currently has (2) Lucas devices with (1) device purchased by the Chanhassen Relief Association and (1) purchased by the City using CIP funds.
The recently purchased and donated equipment (EleGARD) complements the LUCAS device by working in unison with the compressions and slowly raising the patient's head to pre-programmed angle during the CPR cycles. This procedure provides circulation of oxygenated blood to the brain and has dramatically improved neurological outcomes on patients who survive cardiac arrest.
The Chanhassen Relief Association, a 501.4c, fundraises within the business and residential community on an annual basis. The group has a longstanding history of responsibly using some of those funds to purchase equipment used by the department for community response. The EleGARD device is emerging technology and was not scheduled within the current CIP budget. Chief White approached the Relief Association with a formal request to fund the project which was unanimously approved by the members.