$95K grant places video laryngoscopes in Fla. county FD ambulances

Jackson County Fire Rescue expects to place the new equipment in all of its front-line ambulances this summer

By Bill Carey
EMS1

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. — Fire and EMS personnel in one Florida county will soon have video laryngoscopes thanks to a state grant.

Jackson County Fire Rescue received a $95,000 grant from the Florida Department of Health, Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support, and Emergency Medical Services to place video laryngoscopes in all of its front-line ambulances, WJHG reported.

"As a fiscally constrained county we were unable to provide any special projects in our budget this year," Jackson County Fire Rescue Chief Chris Brunner said. "So, it was important that we reach out and find any type of grant that would pay for this much-needed equipment in this rural area."

The department says the new laryngoscopes will help them deliver care faster.

This new tool eliminates the risks associated with older laryngoscopes and is the new standard for the state of Florida, WTVY reported. "This probably allows a 60% higher first attempt on intubation success rate in Florida," Brunner said.