Carbon Monoxide Oximeters Placed In Service - Station 70

Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Bethany Beach, Roxana and Selbyville Volunteer Fire Companies have each received delivery of two RAD57 Carbon Monoxide Oximeters. These new tools are the most aggressive pre-hospital diagnostic tools on the market which allow Fire and EMS Responders to identify Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in both the medical patients as well as firefighters operating on fire scenes. This combined effort, group purchase and cooperation by these three Companies made it possible to save $750.00 per device. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless toxic gas that when inhaled in large enough amounts leads to severe health problems and even death. Carbon Monoxide exposure is the leading cause of poisoning in the US for the last 100 years and firefighters are exposed to this at every fire that they respond to. Incomplete combustion of carbon based materials and fuel is the direct cause of carbon monoxide. Typically you see Carbon Monoxide in Gas Furnaces, Gas Hot Water Heaters, Gas appliances, small gasoline engines, barbeque grills, paint stripper, portable and space style gas heaters and automobiles, campers, and boats. As per manufacturer recommendations we heavily encourage the public to have their gas appliances serviced at least annually and install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in their homes, work shops or other enclosed environments where this toxic gas can accumulate. Furthermore we encourage you to change the battery at the same time you change your smoke detector battery, this will ensure that the detector is always ready to protect you. The action of Carbon Monoxide is simple. When inhaled the Carbon Monoxide is mixed with the blood (hemoglobin) and then forms Carboxyhemoglobin. The CO binds 200 times more to the blood than oxygen molecules can which leads to a reduction of oxygen to the cells of the body and immediately starts to become toxic. Immediate threats to health include; general malaise “flu” symptoms, headache, shortness of breath, vomiting, oxygen starvation, cardiac arrhythmias and an altered mental status. If not corrected or removed from the environment where the CO is present long term damage includes; central nervous system failure, unconsciousness, seizures, shock, coma and death. These hand held RAD57 Carbon Monoxide Oximeters will be deployed for use on Ambulances or Command Vehicles in their respective fire districts. They will also be available for mutual aid assistance to any department that has a need for an on scene assessment of possible CO Exposure. Any patient that has a complaint consistent with CO Poisoning will be evaluated on scene and determined if a possible exposure is present. This early identification will assist in transporting patients to an appropriate medical facility for continued care or to rule out CO exposure altogether. To meet the National Fire Protection Association section on Firefighter Health and Safety, firefighters operating on fire scenes will also have their Carbon Monoxide levels assessed by these meters when they enter into the rehabilitation areas on emergency scenes. The Bethany Beach, Roxana and Selbyville Vol. Fire Companies join the Sussex County Paramedics, Lewes and Ocean City Fire Departments in placing these devices in service on a daily basis. Any questions can be directed to: Graig Temple, EMS Supervisor Bethany Beach VFC, 539-7700 Andy Johnson, Fire Chief, Roxana VFC, 436-2300 Matt Sliwa, EMS Captain, Selbyville VFC, 436-8802