A recent grant of $235,000 given to the McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority will help provide more life-saving tools for the community.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development awarded the money for the purchase of six CPR devices and a new heart monitor, according to a March 23 announcement from state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, who assisted with the grant acquisition.

Peebles Volunteer Fire Department in McCandless also received $65,000 for equipment purchases, according to the announcement.

Chris Dell, chief of the ambulance authority, said the money will help purchase six Lund University Cardiac Assist Systems mechanical chest-compression devices, also known as LUCAS.

“The goal is to have one on each ambulance. It’s better for patients as far as quality and much safer for personnel,” he said.

Performing CPR while standing in a moving ambulance can be difficult and unsafe, Dell said.

The funding also will enable the ambulance authority to purchase a LIFEPAK 35 heart monitor and defibrillator at a cost of $65,000. The device is an advanced version of their current model, Dell said. It’s the first of seven the agency hopes to obtain.

MFPAA serves the communities of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, McCandless, Marshall and Pine.

Venkat, D-McCandless, said he advocated at the state level to secure the money for the ambulance authority and fire department.

“As an ER doctor and legislator, I know how critical our first responders are to the well-being of our community,” Venkat said.

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)