I was asked on Chatter Box How Would I Improve the Fire District

WHAT WOULD I DO... I would seek out volunteers to provide needed support for our current firefighter EMT's and paramedics. Do free CPR AED and first aid training so people know what to do before professional EMS providers arrive. The only people who need a CPR card, are those where it's required for their work.

Allow people in White Hills and West of US-93 who don't live in the fire district, but are in the ambulance CON "certificate of need" coverage area to volunteer.

Even us old folks can be trained as exterior firefighters. I would train those who have the interest in being an exterior firefighter. They also need to be trained in emergency vehicle operation and as EMR's Emergency Medical Responders. It's a 50 hour course. 

This would not only support our current firefighters with additional water by taking water tenders to the fire. They could drive the ambulance on calls allowing the paramedics to run a code more efficiently. Something that is very difficult with only two EMT's. They could do CPR allowing the paramedic to pay attention to the heart monitor and push the required medications.

Since the majority of EMS calls are BLS (basic life support) as apposed to ALS (advanced life support) this would allow volunteers to respond with a second ambulance providing better coverage and response times.

I would assist people with previous EMS experience to obtain their EMT certification ($1500-$2000) That's one extra ambulance call we now give to River Medical when the LMRFD ambulance is out on a call. Then help the EMT's who have the interest to obtain the required special training so they can to do IV's and secure an airway. 

Being an EMT or paramedic is something not everyone can do. It's a calling, not just a job, so the good one's love their work, and love helping people on what is many times, the worst day of their life.

This would save valuable time and when paramedics arrive it would allow them to immediately push the medications the patient needs. Volunteer EMT's could provide better ventilation by securing the patient's airway. Should a patient vomit if it gets into their lungs it can cause aspiration pneumonia, something that's difficult to treat.

I have a lot of experience in EMS and it's so frustrating to not be allowed to help our community and uphold the oath I took as an EMT that said "I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from what I have learned. I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind"

Those are the things I would do to improve the fire district.... 

We have some good EMT's and Paramedics working here. I met a couple the other night. BUT it's imposable to cover 2200 square miles our CON require without volunteers.