Sumter County Fire & EMS recently expanded its prehospital care capabilities with the rollout of new Hamilton transport ventilators across its ambulance fleet.
The ventilators bring ICU-level respiratory support directly to patients, allowing paramedics to initiate and maintain advanced airway care from the moment they arrive on scene through transport to the hospital. Patients experiencing respiratory failure, trauma, cardiac arrest or severe illness can now receive continuous, high-quality breathing support without interruption, an important factor in improving outcomes.
Designed specifically for emergency and transport environments, the ventilators allow crews to provide both invasive and noninvasive ventilation, expanding treatment options in the field and supporting more precise, patient-specific care. Built-in lung-protective strategies automatically adjust support based on the patient’s condition, helping reduce complications and improve overall safety.
The ventilators also support continuity of care by allowing patients to remain on the same level of ventilatory support from the field to the hospital, eliminating gaps during critical moments. Their versatility allows crews to treat adult, pediatric and neonatal patients, ensuring the appropriate level of care for a wide range of emergencies.
Designed for reliability in the field, the units operate independently from compressed air, include long-lasting battery systems and are built to perform in demanding conditions. Their intuitive design allows for quick setup, helping crews act faster and focus more on patient care during high-pressure situations.
Sumter County Fire & EMS personnel are highly trained to deliver advanced life support, and this investment ensures they have the tools to match their expertise. By equipping ambulances with Hamilton ventilators, crews can provide advanced respiratory interventions earlier in the chain of survival, improving the chances of stabilizing patients before reaching the hospital.
“The addition of these ventilators is a significant step forward for our EMS system,” said Division Chief for EMS Daniel Crooks. “This equipment allows our crews to deliver a higher level of care in the field and maintain that care throughout transport. It ultimately improves our ability to stabilize patients during some of their most critical moments.”
“We are committed to providing the highest level of emergency medical care to the residents of Sumter County,” said Fire Chief Rob Hanson. “Enhancing our capabilities in the field means better outcomes for our community when they need us most.”
The initial rollout of the ventilators was funded entirely through CORE opioid response funds. Additional units will be funded through a Rural EMS Matching Grant after July 1, allowing for continued expansion of this capability.
This investment reflects Sumter County’s ongoing commitment to enhancing emergency medical services and ensuring residents receive a high level of care when it matters most.