Panasonic & Rugged Depot Partnership

A Rugged Depot Partnership

In the demanding world of emergency medical services (EMS), staying connected is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline. St. Tammany Parish Fire District #4, a cornerstone of Louisiana’s rural healthcare network, faced significant connectivity challenges. Thanks to Rugged Depot’s expertise and a partnership with Panasonic and its Grants Office, those challenges are now a thing of the past.

Overcoming Connectivity Challenges in Rural Louisiana

Louisiana is predominantly rural, with vast areas requiring reliable emergency services. St. Tammany, serving 60,000 residents, found its legacy tablets lacking built-in LTE connectivity. Emergency responders relied on third-party hotspots, resulting in inconsistent connections, delays, and safety concerns.

Recognizing the urgent need for a better solution, Rugged Depot not only recommended Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices but also connected the fire district with Panasonic’s Grants Office. This office, funded by Panasonic, conducted the grant search and provided pre-submission editing for St. Tammany’s application, securing the funding needed for their upgrade.

Why Panasonic TOUGHBOOK?

Through the Electronic Rural Health Information Technology (E-RHIT) Network, Rugged Depot supplied St. Tammany with eight Panasonic TOGHBOOK 20 and TOUGHBOOK 33 devices. These rugged 2-in-1 solutions are designed to thrive in demanding environments. Built-in LTE, hot-swappable batteries, and Verizon’s 4G LTE network enabled St. Tammany’s responders to maintain uninterrupted connectivity.

Not only did these devices streamline workflows, but they also improved situational awareness for responders. The ability to mount devices in vehicles and utilize their large screens made accessing and recording patient data faster and more accurate. St. Tammany workers found the TOUGHBOOK devices intuitive and familiar, with seamless support for essential software like emsCHARTS.

Real Impact in the Field

With TOUGHBOOK devices, St. Tammany responders now enjoy:

• Consistent Connectivity: Built-in LTE ensures real-time access to critical data.
• Durability: Designed to withstand harsh conditions, from ambulances to disaster sites.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Customizable features streamline workflows and eliminate software bloat.
• Mobility: Rugged and adaptable, these devices meet the needs of any emergency scenario.

Chief of EMS Ken Salzer praised the solution: “The devices go everywhere with the medics, and so far we haven’t heard any complaints about battery issues or damage to the devices.”

Rugged Depot: Your Partner in Connectivity and Funding

Rugged Depot’s ability to align Panasonic’s cutting-edge technology with client-specific needs—and connect them with funding resources—has proven transformative. Their partnership with Panasonic’s Grants Office ensured that St. Tammany not only found the right devices but also the grant funding to pay for them.

This approach is not unique to St. Tammany. Many agencies initially hesitant about the grant process have gone on to purchase Toughbooks, with or without grant funding, thanks to Rugged Depot’s guidance and the support of Panasonic’s Grants Office. The result? Empowered emergency responders equipped with the tools they need to save lives.

For more details about how Rugged Depot and Panasonic’s Grants Office can support your organization, visit Panasonic’s official article or explore the full range of rugged solutions at Rugged Depot.