By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Back row (l to r): Ian Johnson (Chair, Board of Selectmen), Shelby Marshall (Vice Chair, Board of Selectman), and Allen Edinberg (Selectman), (not shown is Selectman Syed Hashmi)
Photo/Bonnie Adams
Westborough – The Westborough Fire Department will soon be able to purchase 15 tactical medical kits thanks to a $15,000 donation from three local real estate executives.
Christopher F. Egan, president of Carruth Capital, LLC, John S. Sullivan, vice president of Atlantic Management, and Scott J. Weiss, vice president of development of The Gutierrez Company, presented a check to the Fire Department at the Board of Selectmen’s June 11 meeting.
Fire Chief Patrick Purcell thanked the men for their “very generous donation,” adding that it would help the department “prepare for things in a changing world.”
The tactical medicine kits are backpack-type units containing bandaging, Combat Application Tourniquets and hemostatic agents used to pack wounds in the event of accident, trauma or injury.
Purcell noted that the department has been training in a course, “Stop the Bleed,” which teaches first responders the techniques of bleeding control until additional emergency help can arrive.
“Studies show that people pass away in the first five minutes after being shot if they don’t get help,” he said.
First responder vehicles will be outfitted with the kits with additional ones being placed at sites throughout the town, he added.
Additionally, all town employees have been trained in CPR and atrial fibrillation devices.
Egan explained that the need for the tactical kits was first brought to his attention by Selectmen Leigh Emery.
“We were very happy to make this donation when we heard of the need,” he said.
Emery praised the executives for the collaborative efforts with town officials to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community.
“We are exceedingly grateful to have business leaders like Carruth Capital’s Christopher Egan who are open to hearing of serious needs in town which may be difficult to address through other funding sources.”
“It’s really a great partnership between the business community and the town,” added the Board Chair Ian Johnson.
Further information about the program can be obtained by calling Purcell at 508-389-2311, Egan at 508- 898-3800 or Emery at 508-330-2865.
