Fire and EMS

[Guest guest]

In a smaller department this is not difficult to accomplish. There is no " them

and us " , because " they " are us. After one person passes his state test, 100% of

our paid staff (and quite a few of our volunteer staff) are paramedic, including

the officers. Our chief is a 'medic. 50% of our entrance test questions are

medic questions. All staff routinely rotate on the ambulance (the officers work

OT voluntary or mandatory on the box). All personnel are trained in the card

courses ACLS, BTLS/PHTLS, PEPP/PALS.Questions on promotional tests have EMS

questions. Skills are tracked on all personnel. EMS training is balanced with

fire. For the past several years, our department has sent personnel to the state

EMS conference. We participate in RAC meetings, County EMS meetings (TCEMSPO, I

am incidentally the president). Our engine assists the ambulance on most calls

(according to type).

I realize this may not be the case in some fire agencies, but I am afraid some

will come to the mistaken belief that all fire agencies are opposed to EMS and

that all personnel resent running EMS calls. I can't speak for everyone, but I

grew up and entered the fire service believing that fire and EMS are

inseparable. " Firefighter " without " paramedic " or " EMT " is missing the other

half.

Having worked in the Arlington EMS system and worked with Gerald a couple of

times, I can say he means what he says. Arlington is a proactive department when

it comes to EMS.

Lt. Steve Lemming

C-Shift/EMS Training Officer

Azle Fire Department

Re: EMS Volunteers

Gerald Randall wrote:

>

> As for this department, we have embraced the medical mission and

> concentrate on it with the same intensity as fighting fires.

That is a pretty ambitious assertion. What percentage of your rookie

school time is devoted to EMS? What percentage of each promotional exam

is EMS related? What percentage of your total personnel are Paramedics?

What percentage of your officers are Paramedics? Did your department

pay for those personnel to attend the school? Does a Paramedic

certification give you points towards promotion to Engineer, Lieutenant,

Captain, BC, or above? Is any of the EMS material covered in those

exams covering advanced practice, or just the DOT minimums? How much

EMS CE does your department sponsor? Does your department operate or

sponsor a Paramedic school? What percentage of your department's medics

hold certifications in ACLS, PHTLS, ATLS, BTLS, CCEMTP, etc...?

Rob