EMS crews lose $1,000 of trauma gear in overnight theft

For the crews of White Mountain Apache Emergency Medical Services, the morning began with a missing piece of critical hardware. When paramedics arrived at their station in Cibeque, Ariz., on Saturday, they found that a jump bag and a LUCAS machine had been taken from an ambulance during the night.

The theft occurred Friday evening. The jump bag is a trauma kit containing supplies used when responders must act quickly in the field. The LUCAS machine, an automated portable chest compression device, is used to maintain circulation during cardiac arrest. Without these items, the department said its personnel lack the specific tools needed to provide emergency medical care to community members.

The department described the stolen supplies as vital resources. A police report has been filed, and local authorities are being notified. The agency is asking the public to look for the equipment or any suspicious activity related to the theft.

Anyone with information can contact the WMAT EMS station at 103 W. Rainbow Dr. in Cibeque. The phone number for the station is 928-338-3095. The department also urged residents to share their social media post to help spread the word about the missing gear.

The LUCAS device is an abbreviation for the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System. It is a mechanical device designed to perform chest compressions automatically. The jump bag holds the various medical supplies paramedics need when they respond to a call and must jump into action immediately.