Community Ambulance Gets Life-Saving Kit Thanks to Local Fire Departments

Thanks to the support of local community fire departments, the Community Ambulance Company has new vital and valuable equipment that enhances patient care at fire incident scenes.

The new life-saving equipment is called a CYANOKIT, and is used to treat cyanide poisonings that result from inhalation at fire scenes. Each of the five ambulances, that comprise Community Ambulance’s fleet, have been stocked with one of the kits.

One of the five kits was purchased with funding help from the West Sayville, Sayville, Bayport and Bohemia Fire Departments. The medication, which is not a regulated requirement, is extremely costly which prevents EMS agencies from making the investment.

"Our agency is taking the lead on being the first EMS agency to have one kit on each ambulance and to create the most stockpile of this medication in the Town of Islip," Jamie Atkinson, an ambulance chief said.

"We believe this should be the standard of care and protection for response to every structure fire. We have notified all the local fire departments and EMS agencies to call us if a suspected victim and we will be prepared to respond."

According to the ambulance company, many years ago homes and other structures were made of natural materials, which were not as harmful when they burned. Emergency medical providers were able to give patients oxygen, which in most cases would provide adequate relief.

However, this is no longer as effective. Today's structures are made of and furnished with primarily petroleum-based products such as polyester, nylon, and rayon. When these materials burn, they release a deadly gas called cyanide. Victims of cyanide inhalation will not recover if they receive oxygen.

Early signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning include headache, mental status change, chest pain or tightness, dilated pupils, nausea, and vomiting. Later, victims can experience hypotension, coma, cardiovascular collapse, or cardiac arrest.

"It has been proven smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Having five doses allows our providers the ability to do this and ensure we are prepared for the worst conditions," said Atkinson.

Each CYANOKIT contains two bottles of a medication called hydroxocobalamin, which comes in a powder form. The kit also contains saline, which is mixed with the powder and then delivered to the patient through an intravenous line. Hydroxocobalamin turns the poisonous cyanide into vitamin B12, which is later expelled through the patient’s urine.

This is the second new medication that Community Ambulance has added to their vehicles within the last month.