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Iredell EMS to buy new monitors, stair chairs and mechanical CPR devices after revenue increase; seeks small grant for peer support work
Summary
Emergency Medical Services requested a $396,000 budget amendment to buy equipment including ZOLL heart monitors, stair chairs and Lucas CPR devices from revenues above budget; EMS also sought permission to apply for a $10,000 ABC board grant to support peer support operations.
The Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved by consent a budget amendment to allow Emergency Medical Services to purchase equipment after revenues increased following a February fee update.
Eric Morrison, presenting for EMS, said the department expects rising fee revenues and requested $396,000 to buy stair chairs, additional ZOLL heart monitors and Lucas mechanical CPR devices to improve system preparedness and surge capacity. "We are requesting the budget amendment for $396,000 [that] covers the purchase of some items that we believe will help enhance our service to the community," Morrison said. He described Lucas devices as mechanical CPR adjuncts that help paramedics free their hands for other critical tasks.
Morrison also asked the board for permission to apply for a $10,000 ABC board grant to support the department’s opioid peer support team. He said the grant would allow the peer support team to provide supplies and services to people with addictions other than opioids, which currently fall outside opioid-specific funding rules.
Commissioners approved both items by consent. Morrison said purchases are intended to increase readiness if the system must surge ambulances for a disaster and to offset declining volunteer availability with mechanical resources.
