Frenchtown Fire has received a a grant from the American Heart Association to purchase life-saving equipment to care for heart attack patients in rural western Montana.

Frenchtown Fire spokesman Mel Holtz said the grant came from a project called Mission Lifeline.

"We received a $25,000 grant from Mission Lifeline to add some important life-support equipment to our ambulance," Holtz said. "It's a cardiac monitor, so if we respond to a patient who's complaining of chest pains, we're able to use this monitor to not only gain vital signs, but also take a picture of the heart which can be transmitted to the hospital, so that the doctors can be prepared for the patient's arrival."

The American Heart Association award was made possible thanks to a gift of $4.6 million from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, one of the nation’s largest foundations, to Montana to implement a three year Mission: Lifeline initiative.

Holtz said the equipment has been installed in the Frenchtown Fire ambulance and is ready to use.

 

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