WESTPORT, Conn. — The Westport Kiwanis Club recently donated funds to the Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service for the purchase of two police-style mountain bikes and gear for the newly formed Westport EMS Bike Team.
Officials from the Westport EMS said it plans to use the bike, which will be equipped with life-saving equipment, during special occasion such as the Memorial Day parade, fireworks celebrations and other large crowd events.
“During special events, vehicle access is often obstructed or delayed by large numbers of pedestrian traffic, road closures, and areas where vehicles will not fit,” said paramedic and bike team coordinator Michael Salvatore. “EMS Bike Teams can more easily maneuver through tight crowds and restricted spaces, allowing Paramedics and EMTs to rapidly gain access to patients and start life saving treatment while awaiting the arrival of EMS transport crews.”
Each bike team member will carry 40 pounds of equipment, including an automated external defibrillator, which is used to shock a patient’s heart back to life, oxygen tanks and medications to treat allergic reactions.
Bike Team members are still working to get more funding to purchase two additional bikes, which will allow the team to operate at full capacity of two two-man teams.
Reprinted with permission from WFSB.