We at AIRLIFE had vision to take ALECS out to our EMS friends—but the challenge came in transporting a larger  (and heavier) than life dummy on the road while maintaining the realism of the situation.  This is where our community wholeheartedly jumped in, donating money, equipment and services to make this dream come true.  Some who gave were deeply involved in EMS, and some had no connection whatsoever, just a whole-hearted appreciation for what you as EMS providers do for your community.  And so they gave, from as far away as Seattle, Washington, and they supported this project so that today we are able to bring ALECS to you in an ambulance donated by Rural/Metro Ambulance.

Putting it all together was an engineering challenge beyond my capabilities as a flight nurse.  That is where my family jumped in.  I mentioned what I was trying to accomplish to my two brothers—who just happen to be engineers.  After asking a lot of questions, both were very interested in the project and how it would benefit EMS.  The two of them got together, Clyde Brown, President of Kodiak Technologies, and David Brown, president of VM products, and designed and produced a product way beyond my expectations—all on volunteer time and with donated equipment.  Although not at all involved in the medical field, the rest of the family chipped in, from my 5 year old nephew Tim and my sister Vida Grace, an accountant, to my husband, Larry, a teacher—working with me into the wee hours of many nights to complete the ambulance.  Dr. Mark Maertins, the AIRLIFE Medical Director, also put in many hours, seeking contributions and consulting with Clyde and myself on the electrical and computer aspects of the project.