North Kitsap Fire and Rescue receives life saving device

BELLEVUE, Wash. (3/16/2017) Puget Sound Energy Foundation contributes $15,000 for heart monitor and defibrillator

North Kitsap Fire & Rescue now has a critical equipment known to save lives. Through a $15,000 grant from the Puget Sound Energy Foundation, the Harrison Foundation was able to purchase a monitor and defibrillator for the fire department, a   PhysioControl LifePak 15.

We know that the chances of surviving the most deadly type of heart attack improves by 3 percent for every minute saved, says NKF&R Medical Safety Officer Steve Engle. This technology lets doctors view what we're seeing in the field so they can be ready to more quickly administer treatment when we get the patient to the hospital. In short, the time-saving is life-saving.

NKF&R estimates that it responds to an average of 200 potential cardiac incidents a year.  In addition to providing a picture of the heart’s activity, the LifePak 15 can be used to deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) that can correct some lethal heart rhythms. In other cases, the LifePak 15 can serve as an external pacemaker.

The donation was made through Harrison Foundation’s “Touching Hearts Saving Lives” initiative. The Harrison Foundation has said that the program will help bridge the time and distance between the first response to a cardiac incident in the community to intervention in the hospital.

Through the initiative, every emergency medical services (EMS) agency that transports to Harrison Medical Center is now able to transmit EKG's to the hospital, said Harrison Foundation Board President Steve Stirrett. It allows us to work together faster and more efficiently than ever before.”

Media Contact:
Janet Kim, 888-831-7250, janet.kim@pse.com