Tama EMS driver Sarah Cretin, Tama Mayor Brian Hanus, and Tama EMS Director Jimmy Hicklin pose with the Lifepak 35. PHOTO BY MICHAEL EMERGENCY DAVIS

Tama EMS has just acquired a new piece of life-saving equipment. The Lifepak 35 is an advanced piece of technology that will play a pivotal role in saving the lives of citizens.

Head of Tama EMS Jimmy Hicklin explained the device.

“It has more advanced features that streamline cardiac care and improve patient outcomes with a more comprehensive view of the heart’s electrical activity. The CPR technology helps minimize pauses during chest compression while helping improve CPR quality,” he said. “It allows the EMS provider to see a shockable or non-shockable rhythm while CPR is ongoing without stopping. It has real time 12/15 lead EKG showing changes as it happens with an expanded view of the Heart. It also has a dedicated pediatric mode for quick and appropriate treatment adjustments for young patients.”

Jimmy went on to explain that although the Lifepak 35 is not a necessity or requirement of Tama EMS, it is an indispensable piece of machinery.

“It is not necessarily vital for Tama EMS to have this. It is VITAL that Tama EMS has this type of equipment for the citizens and communities that we serve. The real time visuals and less time of CPR pausing speaks for the main reason Tama EMS needs it for our citizens and communities,” Hicklin said.

Like a lot of lifesaving technology, the Lifepak 35 is not a dime-store purchase.

“The cost of just one of these is $54,000. Although the price is expensive for this monitor, you can not think of the price, compared to the potential lives it could save. You just cannot put a price on a life,” Hicklin said.

It has been a long wait and an arduous journey to get the Lifepak 35.

“It has been about two years of waiting and watching the reviews and studies of the Lifepak 35. We have been saving money, gathering donations, and receiving grants for the purchase of one

of these monitors. We will be in need of three more to replace our other monitors in the future. Tama EMS decided that to give patients the best care possible they needed to be progressive in the purchase of newer and better equipment,” Hicklin said.

Tama EMS takes another step forward with this purchase — $54,000 well spent in order to keep the citizens of Tama healthy and happy.