Firefighters Combine New Tools and Talent to Save LivesFirefighters Combine New Tools and Talent to Save Lives
The Arlington Fire Department (AFD) has a new weapon in its mission to save lives. What's more is that it isn't costing Arlington taxpayers one extra dime in taxes.
On the evening of May 22, 2013, firefighters and paramedics responded to a content fire at the house of Willie George, who lives on Melrose Street in east Arlington. George, who is disabled, had called 911 to report that his house was on fire and that he could not get out on his own. "Mr. George wasn't coherent when we got to him," said Firefighter Chris Holland, who along with Firefighter Juan Mata had to carry George out of the house. "When we got him outside, we hooked him up to a monitor and saw that his Carbon Monoxide (CO) level was high. So we used the Cyanokit on him."
A Cyanokit is an intravenous injection kit that contains hydroxocobalamin for injection into smoke-inhalation victims. "If the patient has been exposed to hydrogen cyanide and CO, which are byproducts of combustion, it could be deadly," said Captain Steve Hendrix, who helped to secure the use of Cyanokits in the AFD. "Within 15 minutes after receiving the Cyanokit injection, George was responsive and his CO levels were back to normal." So far, AFD firefighters have saved three lives by using the kits.
The AFD initially purchased 10 Cyanokits with money they received through a US Homeland Security grant. At $800 per dose, the kits are expensive, but the AFD has a partner who is covering that cost. "It's all about partnership," said Shane Smith, General Manager of American Medical Response (AMR), the company that has provided ambulance service in Arlington since 2001. "Having these kits are in the best interests of the citizens of Arlington and it's the right thing to do."
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