Fire dept. receives $99K grant for paramedic training equipment

The Ocean City Paramedic Foundation gave $99,000 to the Ocean City Fire Department to purchase equipment to help paramedics improve their skills

By News Staff

OCEAN CITY, Md. — A fire department received a grant to buy training equipment for paramedics.

The Dispatch reported that the Ocean City Paramedic Foundation gave $99,000 to the Ocean City Fire Department to purchase equipment to help paramedics improve their skills.

The Ocean City Fire Department received a grant to buy training equipment for paramedics. (Photo/OCPF)

The department said they are spending $36,000 of the grant toward the purchase of the Gaumard Scientific Advanced Patient Simulator (HAL).

“HAL allows us to perform a number of skills such as monitoring cardiac rhythm, insertion of intravenous lines, endotracheal tubes, and monitoring of routine vital signs like blood pressure, breath sounds, pulse, and end tidal carbon dioxide,” Assistant Chief Eric Peterson said. “HAL is completely wireless, has a drug recognition system and runs on a very user-friendly interface allowing us to get the most lifelike training possible at our disposal at any time.”

The department is also spending $33,000 to purchase three LUCAS III chest compression systems, and the rest of the grant will be used to fund training courses for EMS providers.

“The Paramedic Foundation’s donation not only gives us state-of-the-art equipment to train with, but it allows us to attend national training courses to assure we’re the most prepared to do our jobs,” Peterson said.

The Ocean City Paramedic Foundation has provided supplemental funding for paramedics since 1980 and has contributed more than $800,000.

“With technology being what it is, this is the latest way for them to be proficient in their skills,” OCPF Board Secretary Nancy Howard said. “The prices of things have gone up over the years, but the paramedics are always thoughtful with what they are asking. They are not frivolous with their requests.”

Howard said the new devices will benefit the residents and visitors of the town.

“We have 300,000 visitors in the summer months and if there is a massive accident or something they are going to need all the help they can get,” she said. “We want to do all we can to help them.”