Firm Donates Cardiac Monitor to Fire Dept.

Calling the donation a lifesaver, the fire department Wednesday accepted a $15,000 diagnostic cardiac monitor from one of the city’s biggest employers.

Alhambra Fire Division Chief John Kabala said the donation by the Ortel Corp. will allow paramedics to determine whether patients with chest pain are experiencing acute myocardial infarction and will allow emergency workers to provide appropriate and immediate critical care.

“This machine is extremely efficient--far better than anything we have now,” Kabala said.

Paramedics will begin using it after about a month of training, Kabala said.

Ortel officials said they made the donation because, as a large employer in Alhambra, the firm shares a concern for public safety. The company, which designs and manufactures fiber optic products, employs more than 650 people in the city.