Speare Memorial Hospital and Ammonoosuc Community Health Services have partnered to enhance emergency response in the Warren and Wentworth communities by jointly funding the purchase of a LUCAS device for Plymouth Fire & Rescue. Each organization contributed $5,000 toward the equipment, which will support life-saving efforts during cardiac emergencies.

The LUCAS (Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System) device delivers automated, mechanical chest compressions to patients in cardiac arrest, ensuring consistent, high-quality CPR even in challenging situations or during patient transport. The device helps reduce fatigue among first responders and increases the likelihood of effective resuscitation during prolonged emergency calls in rural regions.

“Supporting local EMS providers is a direct investment in the health and safety of our communities,” says Michelle McEwen, president and CEO of Speare Memorial Hospital. “The LUCAS device allows first responders to focus on other critical aspects of patient care while maintaining the highest standard of CPR.”

“As a community health center serving rural areas, we understand how important it is that first responders have access to the best tools available,” says Edward Shanshala, CEO of Ammonoosuc Community Health Services. “This collaboration with Speare ensures that residents in Warren and Wentworth receive the same level of EMS services as other communities.”

Plymouth Fire & Rescue currently provides emergency coverage for the towns of Warren and Wentworth. The new LUCAS device will immediately expand their ability to respond to cardiac emergencies and improve outcomes for patients in those communities.

“This kind of regional partnership truly saves lives,” says Kevin Pierce, chief of Plymouth Fire & Rescue. “The LUCAS allows us to deliver continuous, high-quality CPR from the scene through transport — and that can make all the difference between life and death.”