The Mary Rutan Foundation recently awarded a grant in the amount of $14,500 to Riverside EMS for the purchase of an AutoPulse AED unit.
EMS personnel have the opportunity to place the AutoPulse unit on an individual during cardiac arrest to receive nonstop compressions throughout their pre-hospital transport, which further improves the individual’s survival rate.
“Mary Rutan Foundation’s investment in this device assist first responders when in difficult, tight spaces, such as stairways, to use this equipment so that they will not need to pause or potentially compromise CPR, further allowing for improved outcomes for our community members,” said Tammy Allison, Mary Rutan Foundation chief operating officer.
This AutoPulse grant program was put in place by the Mary Rutan Foundation Board of Directors in 2017, with a five-year commitment to expand the placement of AutoPulse AED units throughout Logan County to assist first responders and improve life-saving efforts during a cardiac arrest for the residents of Logan County.
Since 2017, Mary Rutan Foundation has awarded $58,000 for this program to area squads, which include Riverside EMS in 2020, Macochee Joint Ambulance District of West Liberty in 2019, Indian Lake EMS in 2018 and the City of Bellefontaine in 2017.
In addition to Mary Rutan Foundation’s annual AutoPulse AED funding, the Foundation Board of Directors established a scholarship program to assist individuals seeking their EMT Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic Certifications.
Information and application regarding the EMT/Paramedic Scholarship program is available on Mary Rutan Hospital’s website at www.maryrutan.org/foundation.