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SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE USES GRANT DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO SAVE LIVES

Feb 4, 2021

For Immediate Release:

February 3, 2021

Contact:

Julie Happy

Community Affairs Manager

Spokane Valley Fire Department

509.892.4155

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SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE USES GRANT DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY TO SAVE LIVES

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ON ALL FRONT-LINE APPARATUS

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) received 1.8 million dollars from grant monies in conjunction with Spokane County and Zoll Medical devices.  SVFD was able to procure grant money that will allow all front-line apparatus to be equipped with identical Zoll X Series Monitors and Cardiac Defibrillators. This means that regardless of whether crews are on a Basic Life Support (BLS) EMT apparatus or an Advance Life Support (ALS) Paramedic apparatus, they will be arriving on scene with the latest and most advanced life saving device available.

“Essentially, this means when a Paramedic shows up to a cardiac or other emergency event after initial crews have arrived, they do not have to change out equipment.  The earlier arriving BLS EMT has the same life saving device as the ALS Paramedic,” said Spokane Valley Fire Department Captain, Dave Baird. “This will save precious minutes, not having to switch out to a different machine as we had to do in the past.  The Paramedic can arrive and immediately go to work saving the patient’s life.”

The Zoll X Series Monitor is one aspect of a 3-part system and can provide instantaneous live feedback to the firefighter regarding the depth and quality of CPR chest compressions. This is done using a disposable smart phone style accelerometer built into a small pad placed on the chest prior to starting compressions. The real time feedback provided by this new technology is a game changer for Spokane Valley Fire Paramedics and EMT’s.  It allows the EMT or Paramedic doing CPR the best opportunity to imitate the natural blood flow provided by a person’s normally functioning heart and creates a much better outcome for a patient.

Autopulse is the 2nd part of the system and is a mechanical CPR Device. A band is placed across the patient’s chest and performs CPR compressions at the correct rate and proper depth.  If a patient re-arrests on route to the hospital, this machine can continue CPR. Cardiac arrest requires 2 to 3 people for proper CPR practices which is difficult for Paramedics inside of an ambulance travelling at a fast speed. With this new device, no matter where the patient is, the best conceivable outcome is made even more possible.

The 3rd part of this system is a portable ventilator.  Currently outside of Life Flight air transport rescue crews, there is not one used in Spokane County. This portable ventilator acts as a C-Pap machine and is a 100 percent closed circuit.  No air can escape the ventilation process.

“SVFD is already nationally known for their PIT Crew CPR practices that yield above average cardiac arrest survival rates,” said Spokane Valley Fire EMS Division Chief, Mike Charter.  “We are committed to saving the lives of the people in our community and will continue to look for and invest in the latest technology and techniques in Resuscitation and Cardiac Arrest that allow us the ability to save the greatest number of lives.”

 

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2020, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 18,700 emergency calls.

Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau

Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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Media Contact

  • Julie Happy
  • 509-892-4155

Commissioner Patrick Burch

Board Member Since: July 18, 2016
Current term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Burch was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in July 2016 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. He became a volunteer member of the Department’s CERT Team in 2008 and later served as a team leader/member of Fire Corps.

“I admire the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s focus on continuous improvement. Our dedication to the community, fiscal responsibility and the fact that we are one of the few accredited fire departments in the State of Washington all make SVFD great!”

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Burch was elected by voters in November 2017.

Commissioner Mike Kester

Board Member Since: January 1, 2020
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Mike Kester was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in November, 2019.

Commissioner Kester grew up in the Spokane area and has a deep appreciation for just how fortunate we all are to live in this beautiful area. He believes that being involved in this community is not something to take lightly.

His background includes joining the United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) after high school and serving on a port firefighting boat doing search and rescue in Portland, Oregon.  After the Coast Guard, he attended the University of Montana earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management.  He then went on to work for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, serving in their Parks Department.

Spokane was the next step in his career. He  went to work for the Burlington Santa Fe Railroad and the next 22 years was spent as a conductor moving freight. Commissioner Kester  retired in 2010 after a workplace injury and now,  he and his wife enjoy making meals for World War II Veterans, helping out at the YMCA ,and providing meals for those in need.

“In the 25 years of being a resident of the Spokane Valley the professionalism of the SVFD has inspired me to take an active part in bettering our community. We have one of the best fire departments in the whole Pacific Northwest. My wife and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I have dedicated my life to keeping them safe.  I want to apply that dedication to our community.  Keeping us all safe is a goal we should all aspire to in one way or another. Communication within the department and with the public is, and always will be one of my primary goals.”

Commissioner John Guarisco

Board Member since: August 27, 2018
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2027

Commissioner Guarisco was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in August 2018 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Guarisco founded Marjoni Marketing in 2004 and in 2010 merged with MDI marketing. He then pursued Real Estate, earning his license and now, currently serves the greater Spokane area as a licensed Realtor. He has long been active in the community and has won numerous awards during his career including the Volunteer of the Year (2014) and the Community Caring Award (2010) from the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.  He is a member of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club and holds an AA degree from Spokane Falls Community College.

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Guarisco was elected by voters in November 2019.

Commissioner Bill Anderson

Board Member since: January 1, 2000
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2023

Commissioner Anderson served our community as a Spokane Valley Fire Department firefighter for 29 years. Throughout his career, he worked as a firefighter, dispatcher and engineer before he was promoted and became an officer. He was Station Captain of Millwood Station 2 when he retired in 1999. During his years as firefighter, he was an active leader of Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 and served as a trustee on the Washington State Council of Firefighters for 25 years.

“It’s important to me that we continue the good service we’ve always given the people. We’ve accomplished a lot and are pulling in the same direction to get better. I’m very proud of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.”

Commissioner Brian Asmus

Board Member Since: June 14, 2021
Current term expires: 

Commissioner Brian Asmus was appointed to the Spokane Valley Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners in 2021.

Commissioner Asmus is the former Liberty Lake Police Chief and current Director of Safety and Security at Central Valley School District (CVSD).

“Brian Asmus brings extensive Public Safety leadership experience, and a long history of being actively engaged in his community to his new role as a SVFD Commissioner,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Bryan Collins. “During his time as a Police Chief, Brian interacted with SVFD firefighters and administrators on a regular basis, making him very familiar with our structure, standing within our communities, as well as with many of our current SVFD board members and personnel. Brian’s experience working and collaborating on regional issues aligns nicely with SVFD’s philosophy and will help us continue to be a catalyst for local and regional excellence and innovation.”