County Commissioners Approve $4.5 Million Purchase of Emergency Equipment

Polk County commissioners at their May 18 meeting approved a six-year, $4.5 million agreement to purchase and maintain new cardiac monitoring and defibrillator systems for emergency vehicles.

The agreement with Phillips North America also includes the training of staff, repair, maintenance and warranty for the new equipment.

"We want to be able to offer the best Medical care possible to our patients and this contract will allow us to do that," Polk Fire Chief Robert Weech said. "The cardiac monitoring and defibrillator systems are a critical tool that we use every day to save lives."

The new equipment will replace 118 units that are 15-20 years old. Polk Fire Rescue officials evaluated options and chose the Phillips North America equipment.

"The new systems provide the most advanced technology available to provide more efficient and effective cardiopulmonary activity monitoring of patients and provide Medical data to health care professionals while the patient is being cared for during emergency Medical transport," said County Manager Bill Beasley

The Phillips North America agreement includes a one-time purchase amount of about $3.9 million and a prepaid annual maintenance and warranty amount of $642,628.