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Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance)
Emergency Medical Services Division
The Emergency Medical Services division is cross staffed by the same men and women who staff the fire division. Firefighters are all cross trained as either an Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic to provide medical services to all those who reside and visit our community. There are three shifts, each consisting of 12 staff members. Personnel staff two stations that cover 23 square miles with a population of 25,146. All medical staff receive ongoing and continuous training throughout the year to ensure that their skill stay sharp and accurate. Our staff uses state of the art equipment and supplies to ensure the best possible care for those who utilize our services.
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Equipment
The department strives to keep all of our Medical Equipment current while placing an emphasis on providing our staff and patients with the best technology to keep them both safe while providing the highest level of care we can. The department currently uses Zoll X-series heart monitors which provide a multitude of functions. The monitors are capable of not only detecting heart rhythms, but also specific blood gas levels, and defibrillation functions. Additionally, the machine is capable of uploading information into the report writing software the department uses. The department is currently working toward transitioning to the X-series advanced which can be used to follow trends for suspected traumatic brain injury, or sepsis which allows for more rapid communication with the hospital.
The department utilizes an electronic tracking system for medical supply stock tracking. Implementing this tracking system has afforded the department the ability to better track usage and stock needs. During the challenges of supply chain issues over the last several years this has proved invaluable in keeping the stock we need to adequately respond to medical emergencies within the community. Additionally, better tracking of expiration dates has significantly improved the rate that supplies have been wasted due to expiration.
During the 2020 pandemic, the department purchased a portable aerosol decontamination machine. This machine allows us to decontaminate up to 5,000 sq. ft in roughly 20 minutes. Because the disinfectant is applied with a fog mechanism, it has an ability to settle into areas that are unreachable using traditional manual cleaning techniques such as sprays and wipes. This allows for a greater level of cleanliness keeping our patients and staff safer.
The department currently has four ambulances in the fleet. Ambulances include a 2012 Ford E450 Lifeline, 2015 Ford E450 Lifeline, a 2018 Ford F550 4-wheel drive Lifeline, and a 2021 Ford F550 Osage. The department has ordered another Ford F550 Osage and is expecting delivery of this vehicle mid 2023. Both the 2018 and the 2021 were fitted with an auto-load system to reduce likelihood of back injuries when lifting patients into the ambulances.
Training
All full-time staff, including administraters, are cross-trained to handle all emergency medical calls. Ongoing training is required annually including Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, American Heart Association CPR for healthcare providers, and HIPAA training. Monthly online training courses are required for all fire/EMS staff and covers a multitude of topics.
Following medical protocols and tracking local medical trends is of utmost importance for the department. A quality improvement team was established in 2019 and is comprised of multiple individuals including EMS staff members, the Medical Services Officer, and administrative staff. This team is vital to ensuring protocol is followed and charts are accurate and consistent with billing requirements.