Steve Vogel, Clallam County Fire District 3 fire chief, left, and assistant fire chief Allen Knobbs, right, receive a donation from Sue Tondreau, Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild Thrift Shop chairwoman, second from left, and Jean Janis, guild president, third from left.  Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Sequim Gazette staff

Clallam County District 3 received a $19,750 donation for a Cardiac Zoll Monitor Defibrillator from the Sequim-Dungeness Hospital Guild. 

This device checks heart rate, oxygen saturation, carbon dioxide exhaling, blood pressure and more along with defibrillating the heart.

Fire Chief Steve Vogel said this will be the fourth defibrillator of this caliber in ambulances and fire engines in Sequim. Paramedics frequently receive calls while already out responding, so the new defibrillator can help cut down response time, he said.

“This year we are responding to close to 6,000 calls and we are using your heart monitors and supplies,” Vogel said to a crowd of 100 guild members and volunteers.

“Anytime we go out on a call, these women are with us.”

The check was presented at the guild’s luncheon Dec. 16 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Food was provided by guild members, Sunny Farms Country Store and Olympic Medical Center and live music was from the Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus.

Money raised came from the guild’s thrift shop at 204 W. Bell St.

Guild members also brought children’s toys to be donated through Sequim Community Aid.