By Cathy Mounce
Gainesville Daily Register
GAINESVILLE, Texas — Cooke County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) director Kevin Grant stated that the new EMS station that opened in November 2013 is a state of the art facility that will be instrumental in the care of Cooke County residents for years to come.
“After coming to Gainesville four years ago from California, the new $1.3 million facility was something that we knew should be championed,” Grant said.
“Manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is not only a place that has up to date equipment but it is a training facility where we offer frequent programs to keep our skills and knowledge sharp,” he said. “ Our training captain is Wesley Reed.”
“We have values that we aspire to have in all of our training programs,” Grant said. “They include programs enhancing loyalty, honesty, integrity, professionalism, respect, duty and openness.”
The class room includes a high tech human body replica that can be used for additional instruction and medical practice for the EMS personnel.
“It has a pulse and breathing capability and other simulated functions to practice our first aid and emergency care on,” Grant continued.
A weight room with work out equipment is on site with individual personal space, a modem kitchen and computer capability rounding out the new facility.
Office manager, Stella Manning, keeps the communications and building management running smoothly.
In the bays, the areas are kept spotless and the EMS vehicles are equipped with the latest technology with additional room for expansion.
One of the new items is a Lucas 2 electrically powered, life-saving medical device to maintain circulation in cardiac arrest patients.
“It is a great tool for us because it provides life sustaining compressions supplying a steady flow of oxygen to the heart and brain,” Grant said. “This frees up the hands of the EMS first responders to monitor medication and other necessary steps that are needed to keep the person alive and comfortable, especially in sudden cardiac arrest patients. Performing manual chest compressions can sometimes be difficult.”
Another benefit of the new EMS station is the availability of storage which allows for a strong inventory of equipment, facility needs and medical supplies.
“We had no storage at the old facility,” Grant said. “This facility was built for expansion as our county grows.
Grant and his wife Carol are enjoying the move to the north Texas area along with their four kids Natasha, 10, Conner, 8, Ashlyn, 5, and Lucas 14 months.
“We owe a big debt of gratitude to our county commissioners who were a big help in getting this facility built,” he said.
“We hope to be here for a long time and will look forward to providing the county and our citizens with an emergency service surpassed by none.”