Medical service may get another life-saving tool

Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County officials recently approved a request for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to apply for a state grant to purchase additional life-saving devices for its ambulances. As Fire Rescue Chief Derrick Burrus explained it to the Jefferson County Commission via a memo on Thursday morning, Feb. 1, EMS wanted to secure the state funding to buy four handheld portable ultrasound devices. The devices, Burrus said, would be used by the paramedics to diagnose internal bleeding from abdominal and cardiac related trauma, as well to confirm advanced airway placement and assist with difficult venous access. The cost of the four devices, he said, wou