There was a post going around Facebook today inquiring why Fire as well as an SUV responds with the ambulance on medical calls and also questioned if it was a “waste of tax payers money”. We will first start with the basics, which is Hutchinson Fire Dept has 7 fire stations to Reno County EMS’s 2 EMS stations in the City of Hutchinson. With the dispatch of EMS and Fire this allows fire to “first respond” to medical calls and start Basic Life Support such as application of Oxygen, obtain vitals, initiate CPR, splinting of fractures etc. In the event of a Code Blue or Cardiac Arrest we all work as a team. New CPR standards are that we perform CPR with minimal interruptions in compressions and switch compressors frequently to prevent poor quality CPR. Many times the Firemen which are dual trained as EMTs perform CPR while the EMS Paramedics perform Advanced Life Support care and are starting IVs, pushing medications, utilizing the Cardiac Monitor/Defibrillator and securing the airway. They also provide a driver for us many times so EMS staff can continue to focus on patient care only. Setting up Landing Zones for air ambulance transports for critical medical/trauma patients is also performed by fire. As for the Suburban that follows the ambulance, this is the EMS Team Leader AKA Supervisor that responds to many Emergent EMS calls. They act as another set of hands, are in charge of the EMS side of mass casualty incidents and also is another medic on scene to bounce ideas off of. What many people don’t realize is that EMS staff works off of standing orders and we rarely have to make contact with a physician. They trust our assessment skills and treatment plans that we have in place. In critical situations, it is nice to have an extra Paramedic on scene to work together as a team to provide the best possible patient care! Are there times that resources are wasted, yes. This is because 911 dispatch can only ascertain what the caller is willing to give them and we would rather have to much help and disregard additional help if needed than get on scene and not have enough resources. Hopefully this helps answer why EMS, and Fire both respond to some medical/trauma calls together as well as inform everyone what the SUV running around town does. Everyone have a great weekend and stay cool!!
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 23:43:12 +0000
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