Fire chief: Cardiac arrests increasing, victims younger

First Chief Marc Harpham

McCOOK, Neb. -- Area emergency responders are concerned about an uptick in the number of cardiac arrest patients transported this year, as well as how young those patients have been.

The City of McCook Fire Department typically receives between 10 to 15 cardiac arrest calls a year. Through the first week in March they have already received 12 cardiac arrest calls this year, according to a report given to City Council Monday evening.

Fire Chief Marc Harpham said the city has experienced a very busy year overall, with 192 emergency calls through March 1 compared to 142 last year. He indicated he was most concerned with an increasing trend in cardiac arrest calls which were some of the most demanding on emergency responders.

"Those are not good calls for us to go on, where we use the most personnel, we use the most supplies, equipment, things like that," said Harpham.

He said cardiac arrest calls were "really, really up there," and he had no idea why but it was one of the challenges McCook emergency responders were dealing with this year. At one point the fire department received three cardiac arrest calls within a 24-hour period, he added.

Chief Harpham said he was hopeful it was just an early rash of calls and in the end the annual number is within the normal average, but the age grouping of cardiac arrest patients was also concerning.

"What we have found with these, unfortunately, is many young ones. And when I say young, 30s, 40s, 50s," said Harpham.

City Council members expressed surprise at the age grouping and Harpham responded with a bit of positive news. He said the new LUCAS chest compression equipment obtained by the fire department last fall was already responsible for several "saves," defined by getting a cardiac arrest patient to the hospital with a pulse.

"We've had several saves with the LUCAS devices, that's a good thing, but there again it's stressful when we respond to that many cardiac arrest calls," he said.

Also during Harpham's update on the status of his department, he praised the quality of both his full-time staff and volunteer force.

The fire department is comprised of 24 volunteers and Harpham said most people would be amazed at the number of hours and personal sacrifice put forth by them. He said volunteers combined for a total of 157 years of experience, including several brand new to some with 26 consecutive years of service.

The city's volunteer force consists of three honorary members, which is achieved when a volunteer reaches 10 or more years of service, five paramedics, two registered nurses, five EMS instructors and one fire service instructor.

In addition to the volunteer force, the city's professional department includes 10 staff members, including nine paramedics, four EMS instructors and three fire service instructors with 125 years experience.

"I think we have enough experience to get us through for a while," said Harpham with a chuckle.

Basic EMT courses require approximately 150 hours of training and a very vigorous test, while the paramedic course is 1200 hours plus testing and the basic firefighter course is another 120 hours, according to Harpham. He said he was very proud of the experience and training achieved by both the full-time staff and volunteer members of the fire department.

Other items on Monday's regular and consent agenda:

* A claim for $60,000 in damages from Rebecca Stevens of McCook was received for filing with the city's insurance carrier. Stevens' claim indicates she was injured while stepping from the curb onto a city roadway which was missing a piece of asphalt. The incident occurred near 510 W. Third Street on Feb. 15, 2016.

* The city's financial report for the period ending Jan. 31, 2016, was received and filed without comment.

* JBN Inc. was approved for a special liquor license for a dance and reception at Memorial Auditorium on May 21, 2016.

* Ronda Graff of McCook was authorized to use city street and walking trails for a Republican River Race Series in the coming months.

The races are scheduled for March 19, May 12, July 16 and 23, Aug. 6, Sept. 24, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 2016.