SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Springfield Fire Department announced this week it has acquired a new tool in its belt helping paramedics.

They have purchased over twenty state-of-the-art cardiac monitors. These devices are capable of testing patients’ blood for carbon monoxide and delivering enhanced EKG results. Additionally, the monitors are approved by the FDA.

Fire officials say the new equipment will save time in life-or-death situations.

“With this upgrade, we can progress from the 12-lead EKG to the 15-lead, utilizing advanced algorithms to thoroughly assess a patient’s cardiac rhythm. This helps us determine if a heart attack is occurring and pinpoint its exact location, allowing us to relay that information to hospitals,” stated Springfield Deputy Fire Chief Bryce McCormick.

The new equipment is already on fire trucks.