Ventura Fire becomes first in Southern California to Launch Innovative Cardiac Defibrillators

VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura City Fire Department just launched a new cardiac device.

This marks a first for Southern California.

“We recently purchased 29 new cardiac monitors for our department. We are a 100 percent … life support department," said EMS administrator Heather Ellis of the Ventura Fire Department.

Department officials say this is a significant advancement in emergency medical care for the community.

“What makes these monitors really special is the amount of things we can actually treat and see with our patients … and the level at which these monitors can tell us what’s possibly wrong with our patients,” said probationary fire fighter paramedic Christian Key of the Ventura Fire Department.

"The blood pressure capabilities is much more scientific much more accurate than our previous monitors were," said Ellis.

Fire crews hope the new devices will provide even better life saving services.

“In general the faster we’re able to treat patients and get them to the hospital the better ... and what I’m most excited for is the ability to be able to do that as a provider," said Kay.

With the 20 break-through units, at a cost of more than $1 million from city funds, the fire agency hopes to detect heart attacks faster and ultimately, save more lives.

"And time is heart muscle ... and so the sooner we can get that life-saving care to them it’s critical," said Ellis.