SLFD upgrades cardiac monitors

The San Luis Fire Department has replaced its old cardiac monitors with five newer top-of-the-line models it recently purchased from the Aurora (Colo.) Fire Department.

According to Luis E. Cebreros, public information officer for the San Luis Fire Department, the new Philips MRx cardiac monitors will replace well-worn devices that are nearly 30 years old.

“We have been using technology that dates back to the 1980s. We want the community to know we are doing our best to get them the best equipment that we can.”

Cebreros said each of the devices cost about $80,000, and the funding to purchase them was approved at a recent city council meeting.

“We replaced our six older monitors with five newer monitors,” Cebreros said.

The monitors have been placed in the department's two ambulances, both fire engines and on the rescue truck. Cebreros said the newer monitors serve many important purposes, and the technological improvements in the last several years have significantly improved pre-hospital care provided by paramedics.

In addition to being smaller and safer than the older devices, Cebreros said the upgraded monitors are the same models that Yuma Regional Medical Center and the Yuma Fire Department currently use.

As part of the purchase, Lt. Tom McKay of the Aurora Fire Department trained San Luis paramedics on how to use the new equipment. Cebreros added that paramedics are looking forward to using the new life-saving equipment.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.