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St. Johns County Fire Rescue first in state to use new lifesaving device paid for by speeding fines

By Lorena Inclán, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
By Lorena Inclán, Action News Jax and Action News Jax
Money raised from speeding tickets is now helping to save lives in St. Johns County.
St. Johns County Fire Rescue, Lt. Lucas Smith, said the funds purchased 30 ResQCPR units that are now being used across the county.
“It creates negative pressure like a suction cup to lift up on the chest cavity so that the blood profuses from the heart better than traditional CPR,” Smith said.
St. Johns County is the first in Florida to use it and already Smith said they’ve seen survival rates improve.
“With the system we’ve seen the number jump from 25 percent to 39 percent which is pretty drastic especially in the medical field,” said Smith.

ResQCPR is pretty simple to use and comes in two parts: The suction cup that attaches to the patient's chest and another smaller device that helps EMT paramedics better control the air entering through the patient's mouth.

“It took about six days to get the whole department" trained Smith said
The county’s medical director, Dr. Kerry Bachista, pushed for the device to be implemented after seeing the product at a national convention.
Every fire truck is now equipped with ResQCPR.
Each unit cost about $1,000.
To pay for the units, the department turned to those who were breaking the law.
“We don’t encourage speeding but if you are going to speed, we don’t mind using your money to help save someone down the road,” Smith said.
The new device was paid for using an EMS grant funded solely by speeding ticket revenues.
“Now that we’re using it in the state of Florida and it’s been as successful as it has been, I think you’ll see it more and more,” Smith said.

Cox Media Group

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