| Place a Classified | Subscribe today | July 6, 2009 |
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Lions donate GPS system
LAVA HOT SPRINGS - It's often easy to see what the problem is - but stepping up to the plate and doing something about it is sometimes difficult.
But when the Lava Lions Club learned that the local ambulance was in need of a GPS addressing system, they decided to help. Using money from the club's three weekly Bingo events, the Lions purchased a Garmin GPS system and donated it to the South Bannock County Ambulance District. Coordinator Canda Demmick said the device has already been put into use to speed up ambulance response time.
New developments and roads in south Bannock County make the GPS system a necessity, she said. The first hour of a medical emergency, often referred to as the golden hour, can be the determining factor between life and death. The Lava ambulance can now provide care during the crucial first minutes of an emergency.
In the past 18 months, 14 residents received certification as emergency medical technicians, meaning the Lava ambulance is staffed 7-days a week. Lava Lions member Mark Lowe said the navigational tool cost $400.
The Lions also leased space at the Lava Senior Center for the three-month long training program, eliminating the need for future EMTs to travel to Pocatello or Idaho Falls. ''That's how we got the 12 people involved,'' Lowe said. ''We've been fully staffed everyday this monthly.''
Lowe said the Lions contributes thousands of dollars annual to the Lava Hot Springs community and projects that benefit the resort town. For more information about the Lava Lions Clubs call Leon Gates at (208) 776-5984. To learn more about the South Bannock County Ambulance District call Demmick at (208) 776-5280.
BY DEBBIE BRYCE dbryce@journalnet.com Article RatingReader CommentsSubmit a CommentCommenting RulesWe encourage your feedback and dialog. All comments are subject to deletion by our Web staff.
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