MARYSVILLE, Washington (June 18, 2019) – The likelihood of surviving cardiac arrest will soon increase within the Marysville Fire District. Next month the district plans to put two LUCAS Chest Compression Systems into service, enabling firefighters to safely perform CPR in route to the hospital and in other difficult conditions.

The LUCAS device performs mechanical chest compressions, delivering consistent high-quality CPR for extended periods of time.

“It’s really more efficient CPR,” said Terry Matsumura, the Marysville Fire District’s Medical Services Administrator. “Unlike human beings, this device doesn’t get tired and it can also be used during transport, which is a normally a safety risk for both the patient and providers. At this point, the system doesn’t replace hands-on CPR, but it’s a tool to make our efforts more effective.”

The device can be used during prolonged patient resuscitation efforts, road transportation or as a patient is loaded into an ambulance, a situation that would normally require emergency personnel to stop chest compressions.

FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant covered the $21,000 cost of one LUCAS system and the district purchased a second device. Both will be stored on the district’s two advanced life support ambulances. All firefighters will be trained to use the devices.

“We really believe this is a great investment for our community,” Matsumura said. “It’s a tool that will help us save lives.”