Thu, 10/08/2020 - 04:53 pm

PHIL DI VECE News Contributor

From left, Woolwich EMS Director Brian Carlton, Rotarian Jim Atherton, Dr. Al Mesrobian, Woolwich Fire Chief Mike Demers, Woolwich EMS members Sienna Mazone and Lieutenant Amanda Lacroix, House District 53 Rep. and Selectman Allison Hepler, Selectman Jason Shaw, Rotarian Caelie Smith, Bath Subaru owner-Manager Bruce McElman, Bath Rotary Club President Brigit Cavanagh and Blake McElman of Bath Subaru. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper

Woolwich EMS will soon have a second cardiac monitor thanks largely to a joint fundraising effort by Bath Rotarians and Bath Subaru’s “Share the Love” campaign.

“We’re very thankful and so appreciative to these folks,” said EMS Director Brian Carlton at a brief ceremony at the fire station Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 7. When the used unit arrives from West Virginia, it will be installed in the department’s second ambulance.

“We had one Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance, but when we increased to two ambulances in July 2019, we kept one vehicle at the Basic Life Support level to keep costs down,” explained Carlton. “The second cardiac monitor will bring both ambulances to the ALS level.”

Dr. Alexander “Al” Mesrobian said he heard about the ambulance department’s need and approached his fellow Rotarians. The emergency room physician is president of the Bath Sunrise chapter of the Rotary.

It wasn’t long before Bath Rotary Club President Brigit Cavanagh got her chapter involved as well. “That’s the Rotary; helping the community is what we do,” she said. Rotarian Jim Atherton wrote an appeal for financial aid to Rotary District #7780 headquarters. The effort was a success. The Bath Rotary and Sunrise chapter each received $2,000 from District #7780. The two chapters chipped in another $1,000 each, bringing their total Woolwich EMS donation to $6,000.

Bath Subaru, on Route 1 in Woolwich and owned and managed by Bruce McElman, donated $15,000 from the dealership’s annual “Share the Love" campaign. These monies will be split between Woolwich EMS and Woolwich Fire Department. Fire Chief Mike Demers said Bath Subaru’s donation was greatly appreciated. “These monies will be used to purchase needed air packs and a set of firefighting gear for our department.”

The annual “Share the Love” campaign lets buyers of a new vehicle pick a preferred recipient to receive funds. With every new Subaru bought or leased, Subaru kicks in $250.

A cardiac monitor helps EMS providers obtain vital signs and heart rhythms.

“Donations, big and small, assist us in providing care to the community we serve,” said Carlton. “This new-to-us cardiac monitor costs $18,500; a brand-new one would cost in excess of $30,000.”