Rotary helps Galena EMS: $3,000 enables service to purchase equipment

GALENA–A recent donation from the Rotary Club of Galena has enabled the Galena Area Emergency Service to buy equipment that will facilitate emergency care for the long haul, according to its coordinator, Bill Bingham.

Half of the donation is made possible by a $1,500 grant from Rotary District 6420, of which the Galena club is a member. Galena Rotary then matched the grant dollar per dollar with its own funds. The donation enabled Galena EMS to purchase head blocks, a full-body splint and digital blood pressure cuffs and a Victory Handheld Cordless Electrostatic Sprayer.

Bingham said emergency medical technicians use a Lucas device to perform CPR.

“We’ve always had an issue stabilizing the head when using the machine,” said Bingham. “The head blocks will do that. They are especially useful when working with car accident and cardiac arrest patients. We’ve had a chance to use them a couple of times and they work wonderfully.”

The coordinator noted that the full-body splint will be primarily used with adults with a broken back or hips. It completely encloses the patient so the patient can be lifted with no pressure.

“This is a pretty neat item,” Bingham noted.

The digital blood pressure cuffs will help EMTs easily obtain blood pressure when traveling on bumpy roads, oftentimes within seven seconds.

In addition, EMS has purchased decontamination sprayers for its ambulance. This will cut down on the amount of time needed to clean an ambulance after it’s been in use as well as be more effective.

“These items enhance our ability to better serve the community. With a donation this generous, we want to take advantage of it in order to provide better service. We are very appreciative of this donation, along with all others. It’s nice to have people in the community support us,” Bingham added.

Tracy Bauer, Galena Rotary president added, “When I think about what it means to be a Rotarian and the help we provide to students and adults, it is hard not to think about the work of the Galena Area Emergency Medical Service. They truly put others before themselves and go on many calls not knowing the person they are helping. They are true servant leaders.

“It was an honor to recognize them with the 2020-2021 Rotary District 6420 Grant to purchase supplies. COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on all businesses but the Galena Area EMS really felt the pandemic for several months which impacted their ability to purchase some much needed supplies, so it was the perfect opportunity for the Rotary Club of Galena to provide them with this funding.

“We are fortunate to have such a great emergency medical service team to meet the many demands of our communities.”