The Times-Picayune
ST. CHARLES PARISH, La. — St. Charles Parish Hospital’s ability to offer medical assistance to patrons at crowded local festivals and special events has gotten easier with the addition of a specially equipped emergency medical all-terrain vehicle.
The vehicle, purchased for $18,000 through a grant from the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, also can navigate over rough terrain, such as in the Bonnet Carre Spillway. The vehicle debuted during the 2009 Krewe of Lul Parade in Luling.
“This equipment has allowed our emergency medical technicians to be more flexible and effective,” St. Charles Parish EMS Supervisor Ken Rousseau said. “The ATV is a perfect solution in situations or areas where ambulances may have trouble. There’s nowhere we can’t go with it.”
Included on the fuel-efficient, diesel-powered vehicle are an advanced life support system, oxygen, automatic defibrillator, first-aid equipment and stretcher. Emergency medical technicians have available all the equipment they would need to revive or stabilize a patient.
The St. Charles Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness assisted the hospital to secure grant funding for the vehicle through their affiliation with GOHSEP’s Region 3, which includes Lafourche, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Assumption and Terrebonne parishes. By applying for federal grants as a region, the parishes can expect to receive 15 to 20 percent more funding.
The six parishes have a mutual aid agreement and buy standardized equipment to support each other during disasters and emergencies.
Showcasing the new vehicle are, from left, St. Charles Parish Hospital Chief Operating Officer Karen Guillot, St. Charles Parish Grants Office Holly Fonseca, EMS Supervisor Ken Rousseau, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Region 3 Coordinator Pam Roussel, Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, Jr. and Acting St. Charles Parish Emergency Preparedness Director Jason Tastet.
Copyright 2009 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company