Merrimac Fire Department Purchases Automated CPR Device

MERRIMAC — Chief Ralph Spencer is pleased to announce that the Merrimac Fire Department has purchased a new life-saving automated CPR device.

Merrimac Fire recently purchased the LUCAS 3 Chest Compression System, which performs consistent, accurate chest compressions without experiencing fatigue, as humans do when performing CPR.

The device costs $15,000 and was purchased through generous donations from local businesses and fundraising efforts by the department. Salter Bus Company, Rick and Eric Fournier of 1st Payroll and Haverhill Bank all contributed funds toward the life-saving device. Merrimac Fire personnel Will Howard, Shane Sevigny, Nichole Richard, Kris Smith, Brandon Cox and Jay Fournier spent a month fundraising the rest of the money to purchase the machine.

“During my 30 years in the fire service, I have always been impressed by the ability of members of the fire service to see a need and get things done to meet that need,” Deputy Chief Greg Habgood said.

Firefighters were trained on how to use the device on July 25 at the Merrimac Fire Department.

“I am very proud of the job this committee did to raise funds to purchase the LUCAS device and am thankful for the generous donations from our local businesses,” Chief Spencer said. “While we hope that we never have to use this machine, we have added a modern, state-of-the-art tool as a resource to keep our community safe.”

The LUCAS device will be stored on Merrimac Fire’s front-line ambulance, which is the primary ambulance that responds to medical calls.

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