Belmond EMS recently received generous funding from the Alliant Energy Foundation for the purchase of five carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. With this funding, a CO detector has been placed in each of the five ambulances to be used by the crews when responding to 9-1-1 calls.
The Alliant Energy Foundation awarded the Belmond Ambulance Service $1,000 through their Giving for Good program. Through this program, the Alliant Energy Foundation builds stronger communities through investments in organizations and communities throughout Iowa and Wisconsin. They take an intentional approach guided by their “Focus Areas” (Hunger and Housing; Workforce Readiness; Environmental Stewardship; and Community Safety and Engagement) to advance short and long-term goals.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced when fossil fuels burn incompletely. This can happen with malfunctioning furnaces and water heaters for example. Gasoline engines and fires are other common sources of CO.
CO poisoning can result in a range of symptoms including headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High enough levels of CO can cause loss of consciousness, abortions and even death. Because these symptoms mimic so many other illnesses, CO poisoning is often misdiagnosed and as a result, appropriate interventions are delayed.
The small, portable CO detectors are easily clipped onto the provider or the equipment being carried into a scene. They alarm, providing instant feedback, when entering a space containing carbon monoxide levels in excess of 35 ppm (parts per million). The detectors benefit the EMS provider in two ways. The first benefit is by helping to identify CO poisoning as the potential cause of a patient’s symptoms, resulting in immediate, appropriate medical care and improved patient outcomes. The second benefit is keeping the providers themselves safe. It is important for all involved to minimize exposure to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
The Belmond Ambulance Service, and the patients that they serve, are very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the Alliant Energy Foundation’s generosity. They are grateful to Alliant Energy for allowing them to be able to provide improved patient care with the use of this diagnostic tool as well as ensuring their own safety when responding to calls.
To learn more about the Alliant Energy Foundation and their community giving programs, visit their website at www.alliantenergy.com/communitysupportandsafety/communityprograms/alliantenergyfoundation.
Pictured is Dallas Huddleson, Paramedic, with one of the new carbon monoxide detectors.
