2020 was a unique year for CLES in a number of ways. We faced many challenges but met them head-on! We also were given a number of great opportunities to enhance our service capability. The department was awarded almost $370,000 in State and Federal COVID-related grants through the Alaska Department of Economic Development, the Alaska Community Foundation and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. These funds were used to purchase equipment necessary to treat potential COVID patients while at the same time providing enhanced protection to our volunteer team. We were able to make some very expensive, and necessary, purchases that would otherwise be almost impossible to accomplish including such items as:
- 10 SETS – New sets of firefighting bunker gear to replace all of our gear that was 20+ years old
- 2 UNITS – LifePak 15 cardiac monitors placed on each Advanced Life Support Ambulance
- 40 PAIR – Fire resistant coveralls for volunteers to respond to EMS / Rescue Calls
- 2 UNITS – Stryker Powerload Systems that allow EMS stretchers to be loaded automatically
- 1 PAIR – PPE Commercial Washer/Dryer set to ensure gear is always clean and ready
- 1 UNIT – SCBA air compressor to fill firefighting air tanks that provide respiratory protection against
COVID and Carcinogens
- 1 UNIT – AmbuSTAT aerosolized fogger for ambulance decontamination
- Additional monies to cover part-time administrative & EMS staff during 4th Qtr. 2020
- Additional monies to cover critical fleet and preventive maintenance on all vehicles
In addition to State and Federal grant monies, we received a donation from the Cooper Landing Senior Center and other organizations allowing us to purchase a Stryker Powerload EMS stretcher and other critical EMS supplies & equipment.
None of this could have been accomplished without the combined efforts from the Board of Directors, Department leadership staff and volunteers! All of this equipment will continue to have a huge impact on the services that CLES can provide to the citizens of Cooper Landing for many years to come.
In March of 2020, CLES welcomed a “new to us” 2012 EMS ambulance. With the majority of its purchase price ($55,000) being supported through Southern Region EMS’s Code Blue Grant Program. This unit went to use for primary EMS calls allowing us to place our 2002 (20) year old unit into reserve status. Both ambulances have now been mechanically upgraded and outfitted with equipment and supplies in order to provide advanced life support (ALS) care to all persons who request EMS services.
In April 2020, CLES purchased another new apparatus for approximately $24,000. A 1993 Spartan/Marion Class A Fire Engine. Originally seeing service in Riverton, CT, Engine 1 is a 1,250 gallon per minute capable pumper with 1,000 gallons of on-board water. Dedicated as a primary attack fire apparatus, the engine is a welcomed addition after the Swan Lake Fire. Its powerful pump makes it ideal for large structure defense, for filling tankers or for carrying personnel to a scene with its 6-man capacity cab.
Overall, we doubled the number of EMT volunteers last year as they completed upgraded training including 5 Emergency Trauma Technicians (ETT) and 11 Emergency Medical Technician – 1s (EMT-1). In addition, we have 2 active ALS volunteers in the department. Our volunteer EMS staff is robust and continuing to grow! We provided EMS training to both CLES volunteers and members of other departments like Moose Pass and Hope on the peninsula. In addition, we continue to engage with members of our community to provide CPR training and first aid courses.
Our volunteers are the core of our organization. Without them, we would not be a department. They are truly the heroes of Cooper Landing that volunteer their time, away from family, day and night to ensure the safety and health of our community members and visitors. We are approaching our busy season between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you are interested in joining our dynamic team of volunteers, please visit our website at: www.cooperlandinges.org or email: operations.cles@arctic.net for more information.
We look forward to you joining us for another successful year in 2021!
Please visit our website at www.cooperlandinges.org or our Cooper Landing Emergency Services Facebook
page.
