SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local company has donated vital medical equipment to the Springfield Fire Department.
Eastman Chemical Co. based in Indian Orchard has been working with the Springfield Fire Department for many years now and once they heard the department didn’t have oximeters, they volunteered their help. Oximeters are essential for monitoring vital signs in emergency situations.
“They actually measure your heartbeat and your oxygen level if you’re in an emergency case,” said Dennis Van Nevel, Site Manager at Eastman Chemical.
For Eastman, this partnership with the Springfield Fire Department is nothing new. The two have had a partnership for many years now, and Van Nevel says they’ve been thinking about how to help out the department’s emergency response ever since they found a need for oximeter’s at a gathering of local neighborhood and community officials.
The equipment being donated consists of 17 high-tech, portable oximeters, 17 new devices that could all save lives. Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi says that all 17 oximeters will be put to use immediately.
“This could save lives. So when we’re going to medical calls or trauma calls and we’re trying to render aids to the patients, it’s a great tool for us to have to see how they’re doing and see if they’re making any improvements,” said Calvi.
Eastman Chemical said that they donated exactly 17 oximeters to symbolize the seventeen distinct neighborhoods in Springfield.
