2/24/2009

Chattanooga Fire Department Upgrades Emergency Medical Care

For years the Chattanooga Fire Department has been training new firefighters to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) IV level.  The goal was to train enough personnel to provide EMT-IV level care on each apparatus.  Fire Chief Wendell Rowe announced today that the fire department is ready to initiate the change.  “Up until now, we have been providing emergency medical care at the First Responder level,” said Chief Rowe.  “We now have enough firefighters trained to the EMT-IV level to provide an improved level of emergency medical care for our citizens.”

The fire department’s upgraded service is being made possible in part by a partnership with Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS).  The county’s ambulance service is providing the necessary medical equipment and has assisted in providing eight hours of protocol training for each Chattanooga firefighter.  The fire department has 24 frontline apparatus located throughout Chattanooga.  Hamilton County EMS has 14 frontline ambulances that are used to transport patients to area hospitals.

Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield praised both departments for their cooperative spirit.  “This is a natural partnership between the fire department and Hamilton County EMS,” said Mayor Littlefield, “and the real beneficiaries of this improved service are our citizens.”

Chattanooga firefighters trained to the EMT-IV level are able to conduct more in-depth patient assessments and deliver intravenous fluids that can increase a patient’s survivability.  The medications they can administer can be used to treat life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes and severe asthma attacks.

“Our firefighters have shown a lot of initiative in getting the extra training,” said Chief Rowe.  “We have 117 firefighters trained to the EMT-IV level, and that number will continue to rise in the years to come.”  Chattanooga firefighters will begin providing the EMT-IV level of care city-wide the first of March.

First Responder versus EMT-IV Emergency Care -- What’s the Difference?

First Responders -- Can administer oxygen and supportive care to all patients.  First Responders, however, are very limited on skills and cannot start IVs and administer any form of medication, other than oxygen.  First Responders can recognize through a patient assessment chest pains, diabetic emergencies, anaphylactic shock (allergic reaction), asthma and shock.  However, they cannot treat these emergencies with their level of training.

EMT-IV Responders -- Will enhance the service Chattanooga firefighters will provide to the community by providing a more thorough patient assessment, with the added ability of administering vital life-saving medications. 

Additional Facts:
• The Chattanooga Fire Department currently has 376 firefighters.
• Of the 362 firefighters with medical training, 213 are trained to the First Responder level, 117 are trained to the EMT-IV level (11 more are in the testing process), and 21 are trained to the Paramedic level.
• There are 16 fire stations placed strategically throughout the city of Chattanooga.  It will be back up to 17 stations when construction of Station 4’s replacement is completed in April 2009.
•  Roughly 50% of the fire department’s emergency calls are related to medical emergencies.

In the photo:  Fire Chief Wendell Rowe provides details on the Chattanooga Fire Department’s upgraded emergency medical care at a news conference this afternoon in front of Fire Station 10. 

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