Mayoral Grant Funds Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Lifesaving Equipment Purchase
The Saphire IV Pump, left, is one of three purchased through a Municipality of Anchorage grant. It will be used to deliver medication and fluids to patients more quickly. The Doppler device, at right, is one of three new units that allows medics to assess blood-flow in veins and arteries where no pulse is felt by touch and also to detect in-utero fetal pulses.
Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department
Mayor Dave Bronson recently awarded the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department (CVFRD) a mayoral grant in the amount of $8,000. The grant is being used to retire and replace three expiring intravenous (IV) pumps, which are used to deliver fluids and medicine to patients quickly. The new pumps will be tiny, tough, and tactical so they can go to the patient, allowing care to start much sooner.
The department is also using the grant to purchase three vascular Doppler units, a capability new to the department that allows medics to assess blood-flow in veins and arteries where no pulse is felt by touch, such as in crush injuries. Dopplers are also useful to detect in-utero fetal pulses.
Grant Funding Helps Fill Budget Gap
“We appreciate all the help Mayor Bronson and his staff have given us to purchase these much-needed lifesaving devices. Inflation is making it harder for us to keep up with our day-to-day operating expenses like fuel and supplies, and the money we receive from taxes just isn’t enough to cover everything, so we are forced to prioritize. Grant writing is how the CVFRD nonprofit is trying to fill the gap in our budget so we can avoid any breakdowns and keep providing great service to everyone who depends on us,” says CVFRD Nonprofit President Jack Gilbertsen.
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October 2024
Because of this grant, CVFRD will be able to provide the Municipality of Anchorage’s Chugiak-Eagle River community with continued, excellent emergency care and medical transport.
“This is a huge improvement in our ability to provide patient care,” says Lisa Ingulli, a paramedic/firefighter with the department.
“The Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department provides life-saving services to the Chugiak community. As an avid supporter of public safety, I am grateful knowing the grant funds they received will help them continue to save lives,” says Bronson.
