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Firefighters
act as EMTs at times
Many
times over the years, I have run across people who were shocked and
occasionally even angry to have a fire truck pull up in front of their house
when they called for an a m bu l a n c e.
They did not understand that one of
the many responsibilities of the fire department is to respond on
medical emergencies. I hope we can explain why we respond on medical
emergencies along with an ambulance.
Usually we work with Guilford
County Ambulance, since most of the city is in Guilford County,
but it could be Piedmont Triad Ambulance, and in some parts of the city the
ambulance could come from Davidson or Randolph counties.
High
Point firefighters are trained to the level
of emergency medical technician, which allows them to use the automatic
external defibrillator.
The AED is used to shock
certain rhythms during cardiac arrest and is carried on all fire trucks in
the city.
Guilford County
ambulances are staffed with paramedics, which is a higher level of
training. They also do the actual transport of patients to the hospital. Both
organizations work together to provide a high level of service to the
citizens of High Point.
If medical intervention is quick, the
chances of someone surviving a medical emergency such as a heart
attack or trauma greatly improves.
Throughout the city fire stations are
strategically located to help trucks respond quickly to all types of
emergencies. Often we can arrive on the scene quicker than an ambulance and
begin medical treatment that could be life saving. Once the ambulance arrives
we can save them time by passing on information we have obtained and assist
them with patient care.
It’s extremely difficult for the two people on the ambulance to
handle a serious medical emergency, such as a cardiac arrest, by themselves. Firefighters
can assist by performing EMT-level treatment, which frees up the paramedics
to perform advanced medical care. Firefighters can also drive the ambulance,
which allows both paramedics to ride in the back to provide patient care,
and, if needed, firefighters will ride in the back and assist paramedics with
patient care.
Unfortunately, medical emergencies are
facts of life that affect many people on a daily basis.
Just don’t be surprised to see fire
trucks pull up in front of your house after you call for an ambulance.
There are no guarantees, but hopefully, with agencies working together, your
chances of having a positive outcome during a medical emergency are greatly
improved. 24/7/365: You call; we res p o n d .
KENNETH LEE KNIGHT is a battalion chief in the High Point Fire
Department. He can be contacted at kenneth.knight@highpointnc.gov.
 
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