Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Installs AEDs at All Five Fire Stations

Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District (ICFPD) is proud to announce the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at all five ICFPD fire stations.  ICFPD purchased the AEDs using matching funds provided by the State of Colorado. These AEDs are designed to be used by minimally trained or even untrained members of the public using the simple instructions on the AED.   These station AEDs are available for when no fire/rescue personnel are in the station.  The units chosen for this project are designed for use by non-professional rescuers and provide audible instructions. 
Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) administer a controlled electric shock to the chest of a person suffering sudden cardiac arrest to correct a life-threatening irregular heartbeat.  Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, striking more than 340,000 victims each year, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
ICFPD encourages all members of the public to learn basic CPR and how to apply an AED.  CPR and AED classes are offered at ICFPD and you can call 303-697-4413 to learn more about the next class. 

"This definitely makes our community a safer place," said Skip Shirlaw, ICFPD Fire Chief. "The reason why this is so critical is that when someone is identified as being in cardiac arrest, their chances of survival are greater the earlier that help comes. We know that having an AED nearby makes a difference between life and death.”

The AEDs are mounted in a visible location on the exterior of each fire station.  The AED cabinets are alarmed but in an emergency you must call 911 to initiate an emergency response by ICFPD firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.  The locations with 24-hour public access to AEDs include:
Station One – 7939 South Turkey Creek Road
Station Two –  10591 South Deer Creek Road
Station Three – 8445 South Highway 285
Station Four – 13877 Grizzly Drive
Station Five – 10304 Georgia Road


Emergency telephones located at stations 1, 2, and 4.


In addition to the five Public Access AEDs, ICFPD has also installed an AED in each engine.  The goal is to provide rapid access to emergency medical care with fire apparatus in each neighborhood.  All fire/rescue personnel undergo yearly certification in CPR and the use of AEDs.  

"This is another project that puts Inter-Canyon on the map as a community that cares, and has an outstanding quality of life for its residents.  We believe that with the installation of these AEDs, Inter-Canyon is a leader in the mountain communities with life-saving devices in public locations where they are available 24-hours-a-day," said EMS Captain Clint Clark.

In conjunction with the installation of AEDs, ICFPD also updated the monitor/defibrillators in each of our three ambulances and the rescue truck at station two.

Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District serves the citizens of Deer Creek Canyon, Turkey Creek Canyons, Hilldale Pines, White Deer Valley, and Doubleheader Ranch.  Over 40 volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics respond to approximately 400 calls for structural fires, wildland fires, rescues and emergency medical services each year from five fire stations.

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