New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On Saturday, May 4th, E-9 was dispatched to a home on Acushnet Ave. for a medical call involving a patient with a cardiac history complaining of dizziness and fatigue. While assessing the patient, our single gas carbon monoxide sensor attached to the primary medical bag began sounding and we received readings of 47ppm. The crew requested Ladder 4 for further monitoring as well as Eversource to the scene.
Eversource found an issue with the stove and it was subsequently shut down. Had it not been for the meter, the issue would have been left undetected and the patient would have suffered from continued carbon monoxide exposure.
Beginning in March 2018, all NBFD engine and ladder companies were equipped with single gas carbon monoxide detectors on their primary medical bag. This ensures that on every incident the bag is brought into a residence, the patient’s living space is metered for potential carbon monoxide poisoning. The Department also recently expanded this practice to include all of our Fire Inspectors.
This situation also highlights the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all residential occupancies.
