Mercy awards Rural First Responder Grants to outlying agencies

In recognition of the critical role first responders play in rural emergency care, Mercy Medical Center is pleased to award Rural First Responder Grants totaling more than $19,250 to 11 area first-responder agencies. The grants will assist with education and resources necessary to provide the best medical care to those in outlying communities.

First responders are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide medical assistance. 

“In keeping with its mission, Mercy recognizes the importance of rural first responders,” said Melissa Cullum, Mercy’s director of community benefit. “It is imperative that first responders in rural areas have access to the resources needed to provide the best medical assistance to residents in their communities. Mercy is pleased to offer this grant to further strengthen rural emergency care by building and fostering relationships with the first responders who faithfully serve outside our urban cities.”    

Mercy’s Rural First Responder Grants provide a contribution to select organizations requesting equipment to be used for emergency care in the pre-hospital environment, as well as for medical emergency training for first responders.

This year’s recipients are:

1. Belle Plaine Police Department – donation to purchase seven tourniquet and bleeding control kits
2. Benton County Sheriff’s Office – donation to purchase Stat Packs G3 Responder EMS Pack for the school resource officer at Benton Community School District
3. Blairstown Ambulance Service – donation to purchase two AEDs and one trainer AED
4. Center Point Regional Ambulance – donation to purchase six pulse oximeters and carrying cases
5. Central City Fire and Rescue Department – donation to purchase Rescue Randy training equipment
6. Jefferson-Monroe Fire Department – donation to purchase defibrillator
7. Lisbon-Mt. Vernon Ambulance Service – donation to purchase three intraosseous catheter insertion drills
8. Monticello Fire Department – donation to purchase two AEDs
9. North Benton EMS – donation to purchase Surface Pro
10. Stanwood Ambulance – donation to purchase Surface Pro, keyboard and printer
11. Van Horne First Responders – donation for training class for 10 members and certification testing for team leads

Grant applicants must be first-responder agencies demonstrating financial need and be located within the Mercy Medical Center service area, which includes Benton, Cedar, Delaware, Iowa, northern Johnson, Jones, Linn and Tama counties.