Other Rural Fire Districts like Heber-Overgaard Fire District with Limited EMS Resources Use Emergency Medical Responders Why Can't We?

I don't understand the reluctance of Chief Bonnee to train and use EMR's Emergency Medical Responders in the LMRFD. Other fire districts like Yucca and the Heber-Overgaard Fire District in rural areas use EMR's, so why don't we?

I contacted Chief McCluskey of the Heber-Overgaard Fire District and asked how he uses EMR's in his fire district. 

When I told Chief McCluskey we had one ambulance and response times can be hours rather than minutes.

Chief McCluskey said "Our volunteer EMRs enable us to keep the higher trained firefighters and EMTs in the District for the 2nd call which happens pretty frequently" Just like here in Dolan Springs and Meadview

 

Thu, Oct 10, 3:11 PM (16 hours ago)
Chief McCluskey
Heber-Overgaard Fire District
chief@hofdaz.com

Jay,

Don’t let their short sidedness stop your pursuit. No an EMR is NOT and EMT. However when you want to keep, medically trained EMT’s in the district (when transporting patients to the hospital), EMR’s become VERY valuable.  If we respond with EMR’s, they are a 3^rd person. Currently our EMR’s either respond to the scene in an additional ambulance or wait at the station for the transporting crew to stop and change out drivers. This way the scene gets the higher level of care, but the transport driver meets the state requirements. 

Let the other districts know they can call us anytime to get information on what we do. 

Thanks.
Chief D. McCluskey
Office (928) 535-4346 Ext 106
Cell (928) 240-4149
Fire Chief / Paramedic
Heber-Overgaard Fire District

Jay Fleming <leapspeaker@gmail.com>	Thu, Oct 10, 11:00 PM (8 hours ago)
to chief

Sorry I'm old and forget things..... 2 Question 

Since the law allows for EMR's to assist and drive the ambulance in rural communities, and the state doesn't "certify" EMR's, do you know if the medical director can stop EMR's from driving?  

Your EMR's respond to the scene in an additional ambulance, then the EMT or paramedic  takes the 2nd in ambulance and the EMR and the EMT or paramedic  transport? 

Thanks again

Jay

 

William McCluskey	7:17 AM (6 minutes ago)
to me

1. I’d have to look up the statue regarding medical control/director, but he/she can only require what level of service is required for the care of the patient under their direction. The driver provides no care during the transport therefore doesn’t fall under the medical directors control. 

2. Our EMR’s volunteer for time periods during the week. When a call comes out the “Car #” comes up on the air and responds to the station. By the time they get to the station, the responding crew has arrived and the Captain directs the EMR to bring the second amb or wait at the station.  

a. If the EMR is directed to the scene, they always drive without lights and siren. Upon arrival the EMR then prepares for transport in either amb at the wishes of the captain. Then drives the medic to the hospital. We are 45-50 minutes from Summit, so it’s a 3 hour event from dispatch to back in the area. 

b. If the EMR is told to stay at the station, the call has likely occurred west of the station and the crew will simply stop by the station on their way to the hospital and switch out drivers. 

Correct. Our volunteer EMRs enable us to keep the higher trained firefighters and EMTs in the District for the 2nd call which happens pretty frequently. Of course we encourage and pay for the EMRs to become EMTs but some just don’t want to or have the time to go. 

It seems if you have the people interested in helping the community and district this way, it’s a Win-Win for the district and community.

My 2 cents 

Chief Dee McCluskey
Fire Chief/ Paramedic 
Heber-Overgaard Fire District
(928) 240-4149