Cumberland County Emergency Management Services (EMS) is excited to announce the purchase of four LUCAS devices for their EMS crews. These devices were budgeted at $15,000 each for this fiscal year.

“As mayor, one of my focuses has been improving emergency services in the county. This current years’ approved budget shows the Cumberland County Commission has a similar interest. We are excited to get these purchased and in service,” said County Mayor Allen Foster.

A LUCAS device is a lightweight mechanical chest compression device that delivers high quality, guideline-consistent chest compressions for cardiac arrest patients. This device is very helpful in situations such as patient movement, transporting, and prolonged CPR. The LUCAS device not only presses down on the chest, it also pulls up on the chest which pulls blood back into the heart to obtain better blood circulation. The push-pull system allows for a complete recoil of the chest to ensure the blood can build up pressure that is essential to keeping the brain functioning.

“This device will improve our department tremendously. CPR is tiresome work and rescuers trade out every two minutes to offset fatigue and to maintain good compressions. Having this LUCAS device frees up emergency personnel to provide other critical lifesaving procedures,” said EMS Director Chris Miller.