PGFD NEW EMS EQUIPMENT and TECHNOLOGY

Media Contact: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department displayed and demonstrated why $3.3 million in new EMS equipment will improve the quality of life for our citizens, residents and visitors. During a media presentation held at the St. Joes Fire/EMS Station in Springdale on Wednesday, December 2, Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor proudly displayed the new equipment and spoke of the important role of EMS within the Department. Bashoor stated that of the 142,000 annual call volume that the Department answers annually that 80% are EMS related. Fire Chief Bashoor also spoke on the apparatus replacement program and the recent addition of 39 new ambulances with more on their way.

The new equipment highlighted during the presentation included automatic external defibrillators (AED), ECG monitors/defibrillators and a Lucas2 CPR device.

The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department serves an important role in the overall healthcare system. Not only does it serve as the entry point into the healthcare system we provide the highest level of prehospital care where ever we are requested. Day or night, our EMS providers can provide emergency medical care and transportation to our healthcare partners. We consistently monitor the needs of our residents and can adapt to the ever changing environment on a daily basis. At a minimum, our EMS Providers are trained to provide national recognized care at the basic life support level. Currently we operate 46 Basic Life Support units within the county on a daily basis. In addition we also have 21 advanced life support equipped EMS units stationed throughout the county. These advanced life support units, have at least one national certified paramedic on board that can deliver the highest quality of medical care. These paramedics can perform numerous out of hospital procedures to include cardiac care, medication delivery and the ability to provide advanced assessments to the patients they are treating. Together our EMS providers are trained, ready and equipped to handle any emergency and ensure that our residents receive the highest quality of care available in the region.

Paramedic Captain Roland D. Berg provided a review of each piece of equipment and demonstrated their use.

EQUIPMENT PURCHASE

The total value of EMS Equipment is approximately $3.3million and was funded through the County’s Certificate of Performance program. The new equipment will be used throughout the county and ensure that we can deliver the highest quality of medical care to our residents.

AED 1000 automatic external defibrillators – These are being purchased to update our current technology, in addition this new AED will enable us to treat Pediatrics experiencing cardiac emergencies

Quantity purchased - 161

Cost of each unit - $2,319.75

Assigned: Throughout every station with the Fire/EMS Department

Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, Corrections, County Administration Building, Largo Government Center and other government buildings

Lifepak 15 monitor/defibrillators – Will provide the latest portable cardiac technology for EMS, which includes gas monitoring for exhaled carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide monitoring, portable 12 lead diagnostic quality EKGs and Bluetooth technology that will allow us to import information into a patient’s medical records.

LifePak 15 monitor/defibrillators are equipped with 12-Lead ECG, End-tidal waveform capnography, pulse oximetry/carbon monoxide monitoring, and Bluetooth technology to facilitate the transfer of data from the device to laptop computers for inclusion in patient care reports.

Quantity purchased - 48

Cost per unit - $28,300.75

Lucas2 CPR Compression devices – Will provide continuous chest compressions for a patient that is not breathing and does not have a heartbeat. This ability to maintain continuous chest compressions during movement to an ambulance and while in motion will ensure our citizens receive the best chances of survival. This device as well as a regimented approach to cardiac arrest will increase survival rates within Prince George’s County.

The Lucas2 CPR device is a new technology for the Department that will assist with patients that are in cardiac arrest by providing consistent uninterrupted compressions and will be used in the Department’s High Performance CPR initiative.

Quantity purchased - 50

Cost per unit - $12,320.75

Most recent technology

In addition to the recent purchase of the cardiac care equipment from Physio-control, our department has recently purchased a system surveillance program that is used to help us to provide more efficient services. The First Watch program provides immediate feedback and data collection that allows us to ensure we are meeting the of goals of providing the highest quality of care and service delivery. The First Watch program has helped us to meet our performance expectations on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Ambulance Replacement Program

One of our newer ambulance/medic transport units will be on display. The purchase of these units is not included in the $3.3 million EMS equipment purchase. Since 2011, the Department has added 36 ambulances, with an additional 13 ambulances now on order, programmed for calendar year 2016 delivery. The replacement of these 49 units amounts to approximately ½ of the existing County’s ambulance fleet. The strategic plan seeks to continue replacing ambulances at the rate of 15 per year. The cost of a new ambulance/medic transport unit is approximately $230,000 each.