Boca Raton initiates community health care outreach program
Approximately 650 area residents participated in the “Smart Heart” cholesterol and blood-pressure screenings recently sponsored by Boca Raton (FL) Fire-Rescue Services and Boca Raton Community Hospital. Fire-Rescue paramedics drew blood samples while hospital nurses conducted blood pressure screenings. Residents previously treated for cardiac-related emergencies by Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Services served as volunteers. The event, held at one of the fire stations, was the first in a series planned to bring preventative health care out into local neighborhoods. Immunizations and flu vaccinations are among future projects under consideration.
“Dollar for dollar, preventative health care and public awareness are the emergency medical services system`s best investment,” explains Fire Chief Kerry Koen. “They can ultimately prevent many medical emergencies and the potential for overload of the emergency medical services system.”
Carol Bruno, community relations director at Boca Raton Community Hospital, notes that working with Fire-Rescue provides the “geographic locations that allow us to expand our community outreach strategies.”
For more information, contact Lt. Bruce Angier, Boca Raton Fire-Rescue Services, at (407) 367-6709.
