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SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES NEW ADVANCED LIFE SAVL.. Page 1 of 2 <br /> � v%• 'Building a 21St Century City " <br /> ' rs Stephen J. Luecke, Mayor <br /> RELEASE FROM: FOR RELEASE: <br /> Office of the Mayor Date <br /> SOUTH BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES NEW ADVANCED LIFE SAVING <br /> CAPABILITIES <br /> In observance of national EMS week, the South Bend Fire Department is proud to announce important <br /> equipment upgrades for its 15 Fire units and Rescue unit. <br /> The Fire Department has recently purchased new Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment which now <br /> allows for full utilization of their Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-1) personnel on EMS <br /> calls, before the arrival of an ambulance. The equipment includes ALS Monitor, Medication, Advance Airway <br /> equipment, and Basic EMS supplies. This additional equipment has allowed the Fire Department to reduce <br /> ALS response times when responding to the community. The cost of the equipment was $52,000 and <br /> funding came from the Emergency Medical Services Capital Improvement Fund. <br /> "South Bend is one of the first Fire Departments in the State of Indiana that has outfitted every piece of its <br /> fire apparatus with ALS equipment," stated Chief Taylor. This is a tremendous benefit to our citizens. Having <br /> ALS available prior to the arrival of the paramedic ambulance means that we can save more lives."The City <br /> of South Bend, through the Fire Department, can now provide advanced care to citizens who have severe <br /> medical conditions, during their medical crisis. "For those persons with existing medical conditions or <br /> someone experiencing a first-time emergency medical crisis, advanced life saving can mean the difference <br /> between life and death,"Taylor emphasized. <br /> Conditions under which emergency medical care can be administered prior to the arrival of an ambulance <br /> include cardiac arrest and other coronary trauma, toxic ingestion, allergic reactions, and cerebrovascular <br /> accidents. <br /> Several years ago, discussion took place with local medical directors, regarding shortages of EMS qualified <br /> and certified personnel. As a result, the South Bend Fire Department addressed this need by adopting a <br /> new State EMS certification program in an effort to increase employment opportunities and to enhance the <br /> medical knowledge of current EMS personnel. <br /> The certification program implemented, Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate (EMT-1), is one level <br /> under a Paramedic. In addition to this program, the SBFD hiring procedures were amended in 2003 to <br /> include the EMT-I certification as a condition of employment for all new firefighters, and which is to be <br /> completed within three years of their date of hire. As a result of this effort, the South Bend Fire Department <br /> now currently has thirty-seven (37) staff members who are able to be an ALS first responder on all of the <br /> Departments eleven (11) Engines, four (4) Quints, and Rescue unit, depending upon availability of staffing <br /> assignments. <br /> Contact: Chief Luther Taylor, 235-9255, Chief Randy Magdalinski, 235-7562, <br /> Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications &Special Projects, 235-5855/876-1564 <br /> http://www.ci.south-bend.in.us/Press/Releases 2005/052005 SBFD.htm 1/13/2006 <br />