On May 20, 2015, Janesville resident Rachel Lancour died in her sleep at the age of 22. Through genetic testing, it was revealed that Rachel had Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a heart rhythm disorder that claims the lives of 4000 children and young adults annually. In many of these cases, sudden death is the first symptom. Approximately 1 in 2500 people in the U.S. has LQTS.
Recently, in light of the upcoming Town Square Gran Prix on Tuesday, June 26, the Janesville Fire Department began considering new ways to address responding to medical emergencies during special events. During an event with an environment like the Gran Prix, emergency personnel and first responders must consider many factors such as an influx of people in the downtown, road closures, and blockades that prevent emergency vehicles from quickly gaining access to patients which is their priority.
According to JFD Battalion Chief Ryan Murphy, “We had concerns getting to places quickly with the downtown area being closed to traffic for the upcoming bike race. I contacted the Janesville Velo Club’s Paul Murphy to discuss the possibility of Public Safety Bicycles. Paul, being a non-family board member of the “Rachel’s Long QT Foundation” reached out to the Lancours on behalf of the JFD. He knew the Lancours had donated defibrillators and cardiac equipment to organizations in the past, and thought they might be interested in supporting the JFD for this cause.”
The Lancours, on behalf of Rachel, have donated two Trek bicycles to the JFD for future use in events like the upcoming bike race. The bikes, which have been outfitted for public safety use by local business Michael’s Cycles, are equipped with panniers (bags fixed on either side of the rear bike wheel) that contain a defibrillator, 12-lead, first-round cardiac drugs, airway management equipment, portable oxygen, and other items for wound care and first aid.
The bikes will be unveiled and put to use for the first time at the Town Square Gran Prix bike race on June 26.
Paramedics will ride the bikes through the area, and will be alerted on their radio of a patient needing aid. While the ambulance and engine respond, the bike paramedics can quickly gain access to the patient and begin rendering aid. Meanwhile, the JFD Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) would respond to the scene. The UTV has patient transport abilities, and its crew would then transport the patient to the ambulance.
All JFD personnel will receive training on the public safety bicycles for day-to-day use and for use at special events such as the Rock County Fair, Freedom Fest, and other large gatherings of people. They can also be used for areas that are challenging to reach with typical response vehicles when it would be possible for a bike to get there more quickly.
The Lancour family and friends have established an annual event to remember Rachel and help others afflicted with Long QT Syndrome. They hold an annual fund raiser that consists of a one (1) mile walk, plus a 5K and 10K run on scenic country roads in the Rock Township area of Rock County. Rachel’s Race for Long QT Syndrome will take place at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Skelly’s Farm Market on 2713 S. Hayner Road, Janesville
In addition to the Janesville Fire Department’s new public safety bicycles, event proceeds since October of 2016 have been used to purchase AED (defibrillator) units for the Rock County Historical Society and GIFTS Men’s Shelter, and are used to make annual donations to the SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) Foundation.
2018 proceeds will be used to purchase an AED for ECHO in Janesville.
