The Sebasticook Valley Hospital (SVH) Ambulance fleet travels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in all kinds of weather and on all kinds of roads. Traveling expansive geographic distances can take the vehicles into rural areas that receive little traffic. In poor weather with limited visibility and with a critically ill or injured patient, the ambulance crews will have one new ally on board – new Global Positioning Units (GPS) thanks to the generosity of two local companies. Steven Philbrick of S & L Shelters and Charlie Shaw of Silver Eagle Electric each presented checks to Donald Charlson, R.N., M.S, MBA, SVH Director of Emergency Services and Michael Holcomb, EMT-P, SVH Emergency Medical Services Coordinator.
“With the support of S & L Shelters of Pittsfield and Silver Eagle Electric, Inc. of Detroit, Sebasticook Valley Hospital Ambulance will be purchasing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for its ambulances. GPS devices were first used by the military as an alternative to using a map. This technology is now being used by public safety organizations in order to provide better care to the communities these organizations serve”, shared Michael Holcomb.
Holcomb continued, “Sebasticook Valley Hospital Ambulance has experienced significant growth in the past year, and in order to be able to continue to provide outstanding emergency medical care, the ambulance service will use these GPS devices in order to be able to respond faster to emergency calls by quickly finding the fastest route. Also, in order to ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of care in a timely manner, GPS devices will assist the ambulance staff in quickly finding the fastest route for patients needing highly specialized services that are only provided at the closest tertiary hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, in Bangor. |
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