The City of Allentown Emergency Medical Services is welcoming the addition of four LUCAS 3 chest compression devices to its front-line paramedic ambulances.

Coupled with the existing LUCAS 2 device carried by the on-duty EMS Supervisor, Allentown now has five automated CPR devices available to cardiac arrest patients.

The LUCAS Chest Compression System is designed to help improve outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest victims and improve operations for paramedics and first responders. Performing 102 compressions per minute with a depth of 2.1 inches, LUCAS can be deployed quickly with minimal interruption to patient care. By maintaining high-quality hands-free compressions, the device frees paramedics to focus on other lifesaving therapies and enables them to be seated in the ambulance during transport.

This purchase will help Allentown EMS continue the mission of reducing mortality in victims of sudden cardiac arrest. Allentown EMS is a two-time winner of the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.

“We are dedicated to making our service among the best in the country,” said Allentown EMS Chief of Operations Eric Gratz. We are meeting that goal by implementing processes for improving systems of care. These new devices will improve the quality of care for all acute coronary syndrome patients.”

The devices are on-board units Medic 1 & Medic 2 from Central Fire Station, Medic 3 from Mack South Fire Station and Medic 4 from Hibernia Fire Station.

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