The partnership between the IAFF Local 244 and the University of New Mexico Hospital Burn Center will help the unit obtain American Burn Association Burn Center Verification by increasing public awareness of burn safety, injury prevention, & burn injury treatment. It will also allow for other hospitals and fire departments to build awareness of necessary triage and treatment/transfer guidelines for burn patients and firefighters throughout New Mexico. We presented a donation in the amount of $15,000 to the UNMH Burn Center which will be focused on providing expanded treatment for burned children, adolescents and fire fighters in New Mexico in an effort to help prevent the rare occurrence of being diverted to another state for burn treatment/surgery. This partnership will also facilitate educational & community outreach opportunities, summer camps, & follow-up care for patients and families.
Dr. Lentz the Medical Director for the burn center accepted the donation from the IAFF Local 244 and spoke to the significance of this partnership and his long standing relationship with the IAFF. This collaborative effort will help make the verification process easier and broaden outreach efforts. Moved by our efforts, NM State Representative Al Park has also committed to introducing an appropriation of $25,000 of recurring funding during the legislative session in January for UNMH Burn Center.
Retired Lieutenant Paramedic Lynn Ruele and Commander Pasquale Gallucci spoke to their involvement in the Local’s charity efforts over the past decade acknowledging all who were involved that contributed to this donation. We are currently organizing a task force to facilitate this initiative, if you are interested in being involved please contact an Executive Board Officer.
We would like to thank Chief Breen, Chief Garcia, Deputy Chief Watson and Deputy Chief Petroff for allowing us to use the ladder trucks for our press conference and for their participation.
Please view links below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVLMsjG62oI
