LUSK – The Lusk Ambulance Service has acquired new equipment to assist it in saving lives, thanks to a donation from the Niobrara County Medical Foundation.

The donation, a total of $8,800, was used to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) made by Stryker, a medical technology company. The new AEDs, known as LIFEPAK CR2s, possess features that make them superior to those formerly carried by Lusk ambulance crews. Among those features is Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows all of the participants in an emergency response to connect with one another. The new AEDs also have self-monitoring capabilities and cprINSIGHT analysis technology. The most important feature, according to Lusk Ambulance Service EMS Director Mike Mayville, is the ability to conduct chest compressions during electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm analysis. This ability, says Mayville, decreases the delays in the treatment administered to a patient in an emergency situation.

“All of the other AEDs on the market require that you stop compressions to read the heart rhythm,” Mayville told the Herald. “The biggest advantage of these is that you don’t have to stop CPR for very long and that impacts results. They bring more positive patient outcomes. Right now, they are cutting edge. These are much more advanced than the ones we had.”

The LIFEPAK CR2 was first brought to Mayville’s attention by Lusk Police Department Chief Jacob Gordon. The department had their own LIFEPAK CR2s which had been purchased with a grant. Mayville and his crews got to see the LIFEPAK CR2 in action when Lusk police officers would arrive at emergency incidents. Chief Gordon shared the benefits of the LIFEPAK CR2 with Mayville. Soon thereafter, the EMS director was seeking funding that would permit the Lusk Ambulance Service to buy their own new AEDs. The Niobrara County Medical Foundation offered financial assistance and the AEDs were purchased. According to Shelly Larson, the Niobrara County Medical Foundation secretary, the foundation initially wanted to assist the Lusk Ambulance Service by purchasing a new ambulance. At that point, however, the Lusk Ambulance Service was already well on its way to buying a new vehicle. Mayville suggested that a donation for new AEDs would be a good alternative. The foundation agreed and $8,800 was allocated to Mayville and his ambulance crews for the purchase.

“We knew it would help with the health of the community,” said Larson. “It can save a life. We thought that was great.”

The Lusk Ambulance Service’s older AEDs will now find their way into three different locations in the community. The Lance Creek Post Office is among the locations that will receive one of the older AEDs.

The Niobrara County Medical Foundation was organized in 2000 to assist in re-opening the hospital. Harry Brown and others worked hard to collect contributions from community members who realized the hospital’s vital importance for our County. Those contributions were matched by the State and helped to renovate and re-open the hospital.

The Foundation is currently active with board members Mark Groh, Dan Henry Hanson and Shelly Larson. Recently, the Foundation gave $75,000 to help with the new CT and renovation. Tax-deductible donations to the Foundation are encouraged to continue support of medical care within the  community.