Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

We have two fully equipped ALS medic squads, which are able to treat any injury or illness as well as a reserve ALS Squad for use when one of the two primary squads are out for repair. All Fire Department vehicles are also equipped as first responders in the event that a medic squad is not the first arriving unit.

Truck 821 and Car 850 are ALS equipped to provide advanced care on fire scenes or as an ALS first responder when a squad cannot respond.
Truck 821 carries ALS medication and an Advanced Automated External Defibrillator (AED's) with monitoring capabilities.  Car 850 is used as a chase vehicle with the Shift Officer who serves as an additional paramedic. A chase vehicle is used so that if not needed, the Shift Officer can return to quarters and be available for another call if not needed to transport a patient to the hospital.

Engine 812 and Fire Prevention Car 855, are all Basic Life Support (ALS) equipped including AED's. Engine 811 and Car 851 and 852 are BLS equipped.

There are 3 levels of EMS responders:

Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
EMT-Basics are able to monitor vital signs, treat injuries, administer oxygen, and use Automatic External Defibrillators for patients in cardiac arrest.

EMT-Advanced
Advanced-EMTs, in addition to Basic skills, can also initiate IVs, Defibrillate certain rhythms for cardiac arrest patients, and administer drugs for patients with severe allergic reactions.

Paramedic
Paramedics perform all of the EMT Basic and Advanced functions, but can also administer a wide variety of drugs for cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, and trauma emergencies.  They are also trained to perform advanced airway techniques, cardiac pacing, and defibrillating. All new career firefighters must be certified as Paramedics upon taking the entrance exam.