The El Dorado Fire Department recently received a grant from the Wiedemann Foundation for new emergency equipment.

The K.T. Wiedemann Foundation has been a local supporter and charitable organization for many years.

The department wrote to the foundation requesting three new carbon monoxide pulse monitors and the foundation approved.

The new monitors will be used to measure the amount of carbon monoxide, a toxic, colorless and odorless gas, that is in the blood stream without having to take blood.

The device is similar to pulse oximeters that are used in hospitals to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood stream.

The device has a clip that is applied to the finger and takes blood level measurements from the nail bed.

It can also read a patient’s heart rate and vitals in addition to exposure levels.

This new device will be beneficial for anyone exposed to carbon monoxide.

“This will be a big benefit to the city of El Dorado, citizens and counties we serve; if they do have a carbon monoxide incident in their house we will know what kind of exposure levels that they’ve had,” said Troy Jellison, volunteer liaison.

Prior to the introduction of this device, emergency workers had to take carbon monoxide readings from the air using an atmospheric air monitor.

For many people, the first instinct after carbon monoxide exposure is to open windows and air out the environment, making it difficult for responders to get an accurate reading to assess the seriousness of the situation.

Levels in the air can dissipate or change rapidly making the readings less accurate.

“Now we can take this and it measures how much is in the blood now, and it doesn’t leave the blood quickly,” said Jellison.

This new device provides accuracy and aids in the treatment of victims on the scene.

“This will be a lot more accurate for people,” said Jellison. “It will also help with firefighters on the fire scene.”

A firefighter’s carbon monoxide levels can also be measured at the scene in case of exposure.

“It’s something that’s great for firefighters,” said Jellison. “It’s something we can take to your house and measure your carbon monoxide levels.”