Friendship Ambulance is excited to announce receiving a grant totaling $90,952 in funding from the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program! The funding from this grant will be used for the purchase of five LUCAS devices, allocated of our ambulance fleet as well as one of our support vehicles. This lifesaving device performs chest compressions during cardiac arrest incidents allowing EMS providers to focus on other aspects of patient care. Performing chest compressions is also labor intensive which can result in back and upper body injuries. Additionally the LUCAS device is able to continue high-quality chest compressions during transport which are historically ineffective while moving in an ambulance. Another added safety benefit is during transport the EMS providers can remain in a seated position which is safer than standing and trying to deliver chest compressions.

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards

We are excited to add this tool to our fleet as we continue to serve the Spring-Ford community!