Lincoln Fire & Rescue shows off $2.2 million in new lifesaving equipment

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Fire & Rescue has new CPR machines, medical equipment and transporting devices, which officials say will help to better prepare first responders, especially for cardiac arrests.

The equipment includes:

• 35 cardiac monitors
• 20 cardiac monitor simulators used for training
• 12 powered cots to lift patients up to ambulance level
• 11 devices to load patients into ambulances, reducing risk of injuries to first responders
• 12 motorized devices to move patients more easily down the stairs
• 8 automatic chest compression devices
• 11 lighted intubation devices used to illuminate patients’ airways during insertion of breathing tubes
• 6 automated external defibrillators for LFR support vehicles

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says this new equipment will advance both local cardiac care and efforts to promote heart health during American Heart Month.

“At LFR, our commitment to cardiovascular health continues year-round, which is why I’m pleased to announce the arrival of $2.2 million in new equipment and resources for our team,” she said.

Fire Chief David Engler said that the update was much needed and that these tools will help to make response times faster.

“Our paramedics and EMTs responded to more than 27,000 medical calls in 2022,” he said. “And it is my hope that this will help ease the workload and improve service to our community.”

City officials said this equipment has been leased for the next five years, then it will need to be replaced.

They say it’s important to replace technology because with the high call volume in the city, it gets worn out over time.

Dr. Noah Bernhardson, medical director for LFR, said that in just over 70% of non-traumatic cardiac arrest cases in Lincoln last year, bystanders began performing CPR before paramedics arrived.

He also said the survival rate for those cases was about 18%, twice the national average.

In total, there were 26 people in Lincoln who were successfully brought back to life from cardiac arrest in 2022, when statistically, only 13 should have survived.

“This is an outstanding contribution by the members of the Lincoln community,” Bernhardson said. “And I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to learn CPR. You never know when you might be needed to help.”