Wareham Emergency Medical Services was awarded a grant from Southcoast Health to aid them in providing life saving care for the community.

The Southcoast Health EMS Support Grant gave out $100,000 to seven emergency medical response agencies in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This was the first year Southcoast Health has given out this grant.

Wareham Emergency Medical Services director Brad Allen said the department will use the grant to purchase a video laryngoscope, a device used to help first responders insert a tube in patients’ throats to help them breathe.

“Anytime we have to provide an advanced airway to somebody we normally have a digital laryngoscope which just has a light on the end of it,” Allen said. “This new technology has a video camera that allows us to see the opening of the trachea so that we can more accurately pass the tubes.”

Allen compared the video laryngoscope to backing up a car with a backup camera versus using the mirrors.

“It gives us a whole new view that can help us improve the outcomes of the patients,” he said.

In order to get the grant, Allen sent an application to Southcoast Health where it was approved by a panel of Southcoast staff.

Along with the Wareham Emergency Medical Services department, fire departments from Dighton, Freetown, Lakeville, Rochester, Middletown, and Tiverton Rhode Island also received grant money.