Front Page News
January 18, 2012
Concord-Area Communities Receiving Gift Of Lifesaving
Equipment
Pictured: Rick Bilodeau, Judy DeFelice (lead donor), Dillon
d’Autevil, Dina Waldron, Joyce Booker-Janvrin, Christine Frost and
George Calligandes.
First responders in Concord and surrounding communities received
special gifts this holiday season – gifts that will help them save
lives.
As part of its unique "Get the Beat" fundraising partnership with
area communities, Concord Hospital Trust is delivering automatic
chest compression devices to fire departments and rescue squads.
The LUCAS 2 and AutoPulse devices perform CPR at the push of a
button, helping save many cardiac arrest patients who previously
would have died. The portable devices overcome one of the main
difficulties rescuers face when trying to revive patients whose
hearts have stopped beating: performing CPR correctly and
consistently, sometimes for extended periods.
Proper chest compressions keep blood circulating, carrying oxygen to
the brain. But studies show that even experienced rescuers cannot
maintain consistent chest compressions for more than a few minutes
because of fatigue, interruptions or the location of the patient.
In a first-of-its-kind program in New Hampshire, Concord Hospital
Trust established a matching gift fund through its annual golf
tournament to help the communities it serves acquire the systems for
their ambulances.
The Trust offers guidance to help communities raise $6,500, roughly
half of the cost, then contributes the balance.
The Tri-Town Volunteer Ambulance Service, which covers Pembroke,
Allenstown and Suncook, received two LUCAS 2 devices thanks to a
gift from the siblings of Pembroke resident Barry Haggett Lombard,
who died of cardiac arrest this past August. His sister, Judy
DeFelice, and brothers, Brian and Warren Lombard, said as soon as
they learned of the "Get the Beat" program, they knew it was the
perfect way to honor their brother’s generous and compassionate
spirit.
"Barry’s desire to help people grew as he grew and he spent 30 years
working at New Hampshire Hospital, helping the residents and
employees there," they said in a statement when the LUCAS 2 devices
were presented. "Barry would always lend a hand where needed and
often went out of his way to provide help to a family member, friend
or co-worker."
Bow received two LUCAS 2 devices from funds raised in memory of a
Bow Fire Department member who passed away and through anonymous
donations delivered to the fire station and directly to the Hospital
Trust.
"It’s perfect timing," said Fire Chief Dana Abbot. "We are just
starting to go to the paramedic level, so, hopefully, this will make
a big difference in the ability of our paramedics and EMTs to save
lives in town."
Abbott said the LUCAS 2 device’s ability to do the work of one
rescuer during CPR will be a big boost to Bow’s department, which
has two full-time members on duty 24/7.
"This, in effect, will be a third person, when needed," said. Chief
Abbot.
Concord received one LUCAS 2 device through a gift from Leah Gray,
who taught school in Concord for 30 years and wanted to express her
gratitude to the city.
"It just comes back to Concord Hospital being so necessary in the
spectrum of Concord itself," she said. "In my many contacts with
Hospital staff, they have been professional, yet kind and personal –
it meant so much. My gift allows me to say thank you in a way that
benefits others."
Concord is raising funds to buy two more LUCAS 2 devices.
Other area communities that have received LUCAS 2 devices or will
receive them soon include:
• Pittsfield, one device, with a gift from Globe Manufacturing Co.
• Loudon, two devices, one with a gift from Forrest McKerley, the
other with a gift from the fans of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
• Penacook/Boscawen, one, with a gift from Forrest McKerley. The
Penacook Rescue Squad, which also covers Canterbury, is raising
money for a second device.
• Hillsboro, one. The town Fire Department is raising money for a
second.
• Epsom, two, with a donation from the Epsom Fire Association.
Thanks to community fundraising, Henniker will receive two AutoPulse
devices and Barnstead, one device thanks to a gift from Globe
manufacturing.
Communities continuing to raise funds include: Chichester,
Northwood, Weare, Washington, Webster and Hopkinton, whose ambulance
also serves Warner. Other communities eligible for the program
include Salisbury and Dunbarton.
Bow’s Chief Abbot said contributions to local fire departments and
rescue squads to help purchase cardiac assist devices will make a
big difference.
"It is going to be a real lifesaving piece of equipment," he said.
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