Cherokee County
Fire & Emergency Services
Fire & Emergency Services
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services (CCFES) has completed the deployment of new equipment for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operations.
Beginning in 2021, CCFES began purchasing LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) devices, Stryker Power Stretchers, and Stryker Power Load mechanical lifts systems for all ambulances using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These devices are innovational and crucial for the safety of patients and staff in Cherokee County. The LUCAS device allows providers to deliver consistent, high-quality compressions for the duration of a cardiac arrest by mechanically supplying chest compressions, thus minimizing interruptions in life saving maneuvers and virtually eliminating provider fatigue. Software within the LUCAS device provides a detailed evaluation of metrics during the cardiac arrest. Implementation of the LUCAS allows an extra safety aspect for the personnel, allowing them to remain restrained for the entirety of the transport to the hospital. Now, all ambulances in CCFES have a LUCAS Device. Additionally, LUCAS devices were on fire engines in outlying communities. These fire engines are housed at stations 6 (Clayton Community), 15 (Mica Community), 17 (Lake Arrowhead), and 18 (Salacoa Valley).
In addition to the LUCAS devices, all ambulances have been supplied with Stryker Power Stretchers and Power Load systems. Power Stretchers allow for mechanical lifting and lowering of the stretcher, while the Power Load system allows for mechanical lift into the back of the ambulance. These two systems together eliminate the need for personnel to manually lift the patient-loaded stretcher, which is safer for the patient and personnel working on the ambulance. Furthermore, the anchoring structure of the Power Load system has higher crash rating for increased safety of crew and patient during transport.