Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Receives Federal Grant to Update Critical Equipment

New equipment may be one of the most vital life-saving pieces on County ambulances

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service was awarded a $1,192,800 Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant to replace dated cardiac defibrillators with the most advanced generation of cardiac monitor/defibrillator equipment on the market. The County will provide a matching amount of $298,200 towards the purchase of the equipment.

Cardiac monitors/defibrillators are indispensable and vital to first responders. The equipment is utilized in conjunction with State and County protocols to deliver advanced cardiac support and to obtain electrocardiograph assessments in order to determine the most appropriate course of treatment. The equipment may be used as an initial diagnostic tool or as a source of continuous information to evaluate a patient’s response to treatment. It will allow first responders to quickly diagnose a patient in the field, provide quick access to clinical information and faster treatment while simultaneously transmitting critical patient information directly to the hospital’s emergency department prior to and during patient transport. The equipment (known as Lifepak 15s) also has additional life-saving technology that features integrated carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring that measures vital blood gases and CO levels in the blood resulting in quicker diagnosis and patient stabilization. 

Early defibrillation is a critical component in treating cardiac patients and the Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators are essential in cardiac arrest emergencies and other potentially lethal cardiac rhythms which require an electrical intervention. With an EMS call volume of over 80,000 incidents each year, protecting and saving lives is Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s core mission and the ability to upgrade our inventory of cardiac monitor defibrillators through the grant award will be instrumental in continuing to offer the best and most advanced emergency medical care to the residents of Montgomery County and its visitors.

The equipment (known as Lifepak 15s) has capabilities that are superior to the current model and will allow first responders to detect and treat cardiac events, monitor heart rhythms, blood pressure and oxygen saturation, diagnose heart attacks, shock hearts back into normal rhythms, provides external pacing and defibrillation for difficult-to-defibrillate patients. The units also have additional life-saving technology integrated that features a carbon monoxide (CO) monitoring feature that measures vital blood gases and CO levels in the blood which facilitates a quicker diagnosis and patient stabilization.   

“I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death.  First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” said Senator Barbara Mikulski. “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face. That’s why I fight every year for the equipment, training and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”

“When a natural disaster occurs or we are faced with a terrorist attack, it is our first responders who provide the first line of defense for our citizens,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “This federal funding is an important investment in keeping Maryland families and businesses safe if, and when, a disaster strikes. It ensures that our first responders have the resources they need to protect us and the equipment and training they need to do their jobs.”  

“I am pleased that this grant will enable us to do more to support the critical missions of our firefighters in Montgomery County by providing them with funding for 40 new cardiac monitors/defibrillators,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen. “This new equipment will help ensure that our community’s emergency responders have the full array of tools that they need to do their jobs and keep our fellow citizens safe.” 

The units cost over $37,000 each and, with daily opportunities to put the new equipment with its expanded capabilities and technology to work, the average cost per use is less than $8.00 over the course of the equipment’s life span. By upgrading the department’s cardiac monitors, first responders will have a very dynamic and advanced tool to provide the assessment and treatment of the most critically ill and injured patients which, ultimately, will translate into lives saved.

“I want to thank Senators Mikulski and Cardin and Congressman Van Hollen for their efforts to provide this grant to Montgomery County for more advanced cardiac defibrillators,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “This new equipment will help our first responders save even more lives, and for that we are grateful.” 

“Over half of the department’s cardiac defibrillators have been in use since 2002 and exceed the recommended replacement schedule. These new monitors are state-of-the-art and will allow us to provide the highest level of service and to achieve our most important job - - saving lives,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “Every day, our first responders put their lives on the line to protect our residents and it’s crucial that they are equipped to handle any emergency. This is a great investment to better serve the residents of Montgomery County and those in the region.”

Tree Into Car 2900 block of New Castle Avenue

2900 block of New Castle Avenue , a set on Flickr.

A woman sustained minor injuries after a tree fell on the vehicle she was a passenger in around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6. The incident occurred in the 2900 block of New Castle Avenue in Silver Spring. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured while the person injured was transported to a local hospital.

Photos Courtesy of MCFRS

Sledding Safety

Many kids, and adults, are going to seek opportunities to go sledding today and over the next few days.  MCFRS wants to remind parents and caregivers of the following safety tips:

• Make sure terrain is free of obstacles and far from traffic. Children should sled on packed snow (not ice) that is free of debris. Check carefully for snow-covered hazards such as rocks, tree limbs and stumps that could endanger sledders or skiers.
• Use equipment that is sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp and jagged edges.
• Look for energy-absorbing pads on sled seats.
• Examine handholds on sleds to be sure they are secure.
• Ensure sleds and toboggans have steering devices that work easily and don't jam.

Parents should remind children to:

• Sled only on terrain that is free of obstacles.
• Make sure the bottom of the slope is far from streets, traffic and frozen or partially frozen ponds, lakes or creeks.
• Always use a sled with a steering mechanism. Avoid makeshift sleds.
• Avoid lying flat on the sled while riding down hill. Always sit up with feet forward - lying flat increases the chance of head and abdominal injuries.
• Never ride in a sled pulled by a motorized vehicle.
• Make sure the number of children riding on the sled does not exceed the manufacturer's recommendations.

Fire and Rescue Crews Storm Ready

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 6, 2013

         Fire and Rescue Crews Storm Ready
                                                      

Montgomery County, MD - - -  Fire and Rescue crews have been preparing since Monday and are ready as a strong winter storm system predicted for the region arrives. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials have been coordinating closely with utility and road crews, have increased staffing to meet expected demand and have all available equipment and resources strategically positioned around the County. The department has a team of personnel closely monitoring the storm as projected high winds and heavy, wet snow begins to arrive in the area.

Montgomery County fire officials provide the following tip and are asking residents to plan ahead, be ready and be safe:

- Stay informed by monitoring TV news, radio, the National Weather Service and the internet as storm information is updated throughout the day that may affect you and your family. Sign up for Alert Montgomery at https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/register.php to receive text alerts and emergency information. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue social media platforms will be operating at various points throughout the storm however will not be a 24-hour source of timely EMERGENCY information. For this weather event on Twitter, use the hashtag #mocosnow and the  primary platforms used will be:

        -  Fire & Rescue Blog
     - Follow Fire & Rescue on Twitter
     - Like Fire & Rescue on Facebook

- Ensure your cell phones, laptops, ipads, tablets and other important devices are fully charged BEFORE the storm.

- If possible, stay off the roads and heed the advice of local officials. Overall, most winter storm deaths result from vehicle or other transportation accidents caused by ice and snow. Residents should avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain, snow, dense fog and high winds. These are serious conditions that are often underestimated and can make driving, and even walking, very hazardous.

- Stay prepared by getting your emergency preparedness kit out and having a ready supply of essential items (food, water, batteries, flashlights, battery-operated radio, blankets, etc.). 

- Use extreme caution around downed or damaged power lines. Do not remove fallen tree limbs or other debris from power lines, never drive over down lines and treat all wires – even those that are hanging or down – as if they are “live” (energized) and call 911 to report them.

- Do NOT use candles for lighting. Using candles during a power outage poses an extreme risk of fire. Use flashlights or battery-powered lighting options and make sure you have a battery-operated radio to keep up-to-date.

- Fire and Rescue response times may be affected by the extreme weather. It’s a great time to make sure the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm are fresh. Test all smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Reach out to your neighbors who may need help, especially those that are elderly, disabled or infirmed. 

- Please only call 911 for emergencies. Crews will be in high demand throughout the storm. If you do not have a life-threatening emergency, call 311 for assistance.

- Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see them, especially in times of poor visibility. Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility

- Shoveling snow can be dangerous to your health. Some winter storms produce enough snow that will make it difficult to shovel, especially for those that have an existing heart condition or anyone over the age of 50. Limit shoveling to only a few minutes at a time, shovel smaller amounts and take frequent breaks. Listen to your body and STOP if you feel pain or experience any warning signs of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, nausea as well as shoulder, neck and arm pain. Always seek medical attention immediately if you believe you are having a medical emergency. 

Fire Chief Richard Bowers is asking residents to help firefighters and clear snow away from fire hydrants. The expected snow accumulations combined with the after-effects of plowing roads may result in many fire hydrants partially or completely buried in snow. By keeping fire hydrants clear of snow, residents can help firefighters to easily locate hydrants and access water quickly, preserving valuable time to potentially save lives and structures.

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Snow Related Home Safety Tips

To stay safe during today’s snow/winter weather event, the women and men of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue encourages residents to:

v  Make certain all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

v  Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects and never leave space heaters

unattended.

v  During a power outage, use flashlights as lighting sources and avoid using lit candles.

v  Never use generators or gas grills inside the garage or residence as they produce

deadly carbon monoxide gas.

v  Place fireplace ashes outside in a metal container with a secure lid that is at least 15 feet from a structure.

v  Keep fire hydrants on your property clear of snow, ensure that you have at least two

     clear exits out of your house and make sure your address is visible. A few minutes of

your time to help clear the snow will help emergency responders to better assist you in

the event of an emergency.

v  Make sure you have at least two clear exits out of your house. Keep an eye on snow

build up. When the snow melts and refreezes, it could prevent you from being able to

open the door and exit from your house.

v  Businesses are also reminded to clear the areas around emergency exits to ensure their customers can exit safely in an emergency.