Ems Policy And Procedure

Fire department changes emergency response procedure

June 28, 2011 — As of July 1, the Susanville Fire Department is changing the way it responds to medical emergencies.

Since 2004, the SFD has responded to each ambulance request for service in the city. But according to Fire Chief Ted Friedline the department will revert back to responding to medical emergencies based almost exclusively on need as of July 1.

“When we’ve done our annual reports, we’ve been questioned as to why we do so many medical calls,” Friedline said at the Susanville City Council’s June 15 meeting. “Prior to SESMA coming town, we’ve been running around 754 medical calls. Since then we’ve increased by an additional 513 calls per year.”

Friedline explained while the department has the ability to provide basic life support, the ambulance provides advanced life support. He said many of the calls they respond to are actual emergencies, whereas some of the calls had firefighters responding to incidents where patients were exhibiting flu like symptoms.

“I feel that can endanger our staff, they can get sick,” Friedline said. “So what I’m planning on doing on July 1 is cutting back on the medical calls we’re going to, and changing our dispatch policy."

Friedlin said the ministry will now respond to medical emergencies based on four factors: a direct request from the ambulance service, the discretion of the sending of fire, or general need for an ambulance is not readily available. Friedlin says it's the same answer that the procedure Susan River Fire Protection District (SRFPD) and Riverview Country Villa Nursing Home from 31 January. Friedlin said his department was currently provides first response to the nursing home and SRFPD well.

"So far we have not had any complaints," said Friedlin. “I’m not aware of anyone losing their life because we didn’t respond to a call.”

Friedline said he thought the change was in the best interest of the fire department, especially as a cost saving measure. For starters, the new policy would save the department on fuel, which Friedline estimated the department burned through at least one gallon of fuel every time an engine is pulled out of the station and has to idle for 20 minutes, a common occurrence on medical calls.

Friedline said it would also save money on tires and natural gas costs.

Even though the department will be responding to fewer medical calls, Friedline said the department would be reviewing this policy every three months for the next year and adjust accordingly.

BCFCA Radio Policy Revised « Butler Regional Interoperable ...

The Butler County Fire Chief’s Association (BCFCA) established a Radio Communications Committee during the planning phase of the BRICS 800MHz voice system. The committee’s purpose is to provide informed recommendations, to the association and the 800MHz Advisory Board, regarding communication for the county’s fire and EMS agencies. Previously, in 2008, this committee developed the station numbering, unit designations and common terminology that is part of the Fire / EMS Communication Standardization Plan .

During their June meeting, the BCFCA approved a revision to their Radio Procedure, originally issued in 2010. This document covers a wide range of operational communication procedures for fire and EMS, including mayday procedures. It is available for download as a PDF from our Policies page under the “other organizations and agencies” section. We recommend that all PSAPs and Fire/EMS agencies review it for changes.

If you have any questions about this, or any other procedure, contact us and we’ll answer your question or direct you to someone who can.

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