The Taylorville Fire Department has received word from US Congressman Rodney Davis’ office that the Fire Department has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant to go towards the purchase of a new cardiac monitor for the Fire Department Ambulance. Taylorville Fire Chief Mike Crews spoke with Regional Radio News recently and gave some details on the grant, and why the Taylorville Fire Department needed it.

Although Taylorville Memorial is a top flight facility, patients requiring cardiac or stroke care interventions must be transported to hospitals in Springfield or Decatur. With every minute counting in cases of cardiac arrest or stroke, Crews said how the new machine will help patients that the Fire Department is transporting by relaying information directly to the hospitals so their teams can be ready to receive the patient as soon as they arrive.

With Taylorville’s aging population, there is a higher risk factor for the Fire Department associated with the need for high quality cardiac care. The new equipment purchased with the help from the grant allows the Taylorville Fire Department to be better prepared when it comes to helping patients with cardiac or stroke issues.