Brainerd committee authorizes police to apply for Lucas chest-compression grant

The Brainerd City Safety and Public Works Committee authorized the Brainerd Police Department to apply for the Lucas Project grant from the University of Minnesota Center for Resuscitation Medicine to obtain a Lucas chest-compression system, Chief Davis said.

The Lucas device is a portable mechanical chest-compression system the department would use during cardiac arrest incidents. "This would provide a Lucas chest compression system, approximate retail value of $20,000, for our use during cardiac arrest situations," Chief Davis said. He told the committee the grant would require two officers to attend a free one-day training and the department to complete a voluntary post-deployment survey; he said the survey "does not collect any patient or private data." The chief also said the grant would have no financial impact on the city.

The request drew procedural and technical questions from committee members about how the device would be assigned, maintained and deployed. Chief Davis said the department would not assign the device to a single squad but would keep it marked as "in service" on a given shift and pair it with more-experienced first-response officers when possible. He said maintenance needs are minimal and that the department already operates a fleet of 15 automatic external defibrillators funded from the same Center for Resuscitation Medicine grants.

Committee members asked how many devices the department would like to have and how quickly they could be placed in service if awarded. Chief Davis said the department would ideally like about six devices but "would feel very appreciative if we had one" and anticipates the award and deployment by "early to midsummer." He and others described the device as simple to apply in the field: a bottom plate placed beneath the patient and a top portion that straps and clamps over the chest, after which the operator activates automatic compressions.

A committee member moved to accept Chief Davis's recommendation; Chair Jeff seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; individual recorded votes were not taken. The committee did not place additional conditions on the application.

With the motion passed, staff will proceed with the grant application; if awarded, the department will schedule the required training and place the device into service according to shift needs.