Modern day EMS has evolved, with advanced equipment, training and technology.  Now the closest company, usually an Engine, handles EMS calls. This helps with quicker response times due to locations of fire stations. All personnel are trained in EMS and some engines respond with Advanced Life Support (ALS) capability, which increases the number of patient care providers on a scene.  Better EMS protocols with standing orders and directives from our Physician advisor help to greatly improve our standard of care. Advances in equipment have made a big difference.  An example is the introduction of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators); All Companies started carrying AEDs in the early 1990’s.  Less than six months after AED’s were put in place a young soldier was saved from a cardiac arrest.  Years before, his chances of survival would have been almost zero. Emergency Medical Dispatching (EMD) is another advancement, which is credited with saving numerous lives. Now our dispatchers start medical care over the phone, even before units have left the station. Dispatchers follow a line of questions and give pre-arrival instructions, which can include coaching CPR over the phone. We provide consistent first response EMS to the public, and patients are then transported to the Emergency Department by either the Evans Hospital Ambulance Service or private ambulance service.

Firefighters continue care after extricating a patient

Flight for Life prepares to land at the scene of an accident