EMS As We Know It Today

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR HEALTH TOPIC OF THE MONTH

      To date EMS runs approximate 4200 calls a year with 20 paramedics and 1 EMT.  There are 7 members to a shift.  The shifts are labeled ABC with a work schedule of 24 hours on and 48 hours off.  A list of employees and shift assignments can be viewed on our employees page.  We run 3 full paramedic status trucks.  The shift captain if all 7 Paramedics are on duty responds as backup on our Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) which is a Ford Explorer that is also equipped for Paramedics.  As well as having Paramedic status each employee is required to have Basic Trauma Life Support (BTLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certifications.

      Recently we have started using 12 lead ECG monitoring with the capability of faxing the ECG to the hospital's ER. This capability ensures faster treatment for cardiac related emergencies.  Each Paramedic is required a minimum of 3 hours a month of continuing education.  This training is done in house by our Training Officer.  In addition to our responding to emergency calls we have a community awareness program which can be viewed on our Special Program page.  Each employee takes great pride in knowing that in some way whether it be through patient care or public education we have helped someone.

      Like everything else we have a strong support system.  Each Fire Department in the city and county have a First Responder program.  These are the people you generally see first.  All First Responders respond on private vehicle and you may see a fire truck as well.  Each First Responder is trained in Basic Life Support (BLS).  Each department also has an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) this is used in all cardiac arrest patients.  Our gratitude to the First Responders often goes unspoken, so we would like to express how much we appreciate the great job they do.

      We feel that with all the hard work and education of the EMS Director, EMS Employees, and First Responders that the people of Roxboro and Person County receive the highest quality of patient care possible.