Fire-Based EMS ... The Right Choice for Public Safety

Time. It’s a precious commodity, and it waits for no one. When lives are on the line, seconds count. Fractions of seconds count.

Few individuals in our lives better understand the importance of time than the men and women of the fire service. Highly qualified public servants, trained to handle crises affecting both people and property – often simultaneously. The dedication and training of these professionals and their commitment to quality of care are just two of the many reasons why fire-based Emergency Medical Service is the clear choice for public officials and the communities they serve.

Higher Survival Rates
As communities evaluate their present emergency medical care needs, they may focus exclusively on patient transportation issues. Most research, however, has demonstrated that rapid, on-scene medical intervention produces the best patient outcomes. The fire service is best positioned to deliver this critical care, as well as rapid patient transport. Fire-based EMS provides a comprehensive approach to emergency care, with trained personnel capable of handling any complication. The bottom line – a better chance for survival, and patient survival is the true measure of quality for any prehospital emergency medical system.

Rapid Response Times
The fire service is known for its rapid mobilization. Fire fighters are the nation’s first responders and fire-based EMS get to the scene faster. A comprehensive response within time limits set by the emergency medical community should be the goal for other EMS providers. It is routine for the fire service.

Quality of Care
Unacceptably high workloads, stress and perceived lack of commitment to patient care by employers all take their toll on the single-role EMS provider. Unfortunately, the patients they serve also invariably suffer. The teamwork, efficient job performance, and continuous patient contact enjoyed by the fire service, on the other hand, affects patient care in a way that cannot be qualified by dollars. Nevertheless, these are critical areas of inquiry for those who are deciding between competing EMS systems for their communities.

Fire-Based EMS -- The Right Choice
Citizens need a system that works in the field, not only on paper. Decision makers, therefore, must look at what their community is getting for the price, particularly in the areas of response time, personnel capabilities and system efficiency. Only then can a community make an informed choice about a critical service, with the same confidence that they place in the rapid response and effective work of their fire department.

The Great Boston Fire

It was on this date, November 9, in 1872 that Boston, Massachusetts, suffered their worst ever fire and what is still one of the most costly fire-related property losses in American history.
The fire destroyed the entire financial district, causingthe deployment of milita to guard against looting.

It all started at 7:20 pm in the basement of a warehouse on Summer St. A quirk in the city’s tax laws exempted business stock that was stored in attics. So, as the fire spread from flying embers, they were landing on top of rooms stuffed with fire load.

The conflagration grew rapidly and the huge fire lit up the entire New England sky, prompting fire departments from every state around to load up pumpers and firefighters on railroad trains and converge on the city to aid. The railroads capitalized on the event by also carrying spectators on the rescue trains.

The city’s fire department was already suffering from a horse flu epidemic that had traveled across the country that year. Every horse in the fire department had been immobilized from the illness and the heavy, steam pumpers had to be pulled by the firefighters to the blazes.

Further complicating the efforts, the gas supply lines connected to street lamps and used for lighting in buildings could not be shut off promptly. Gas lines exploded and fed the flames.
The fire was finally contained 12 hours later, but not until it had leveled 65 acres of downtown property including 776 buildings. The dollar loss, converted to today’s equivalency, exceeded $3.5 Billion.

The devastating effects of the fire directly led to the adoption of more stringent building codes and stronger enforcement efforts throughout the U. S.

October was Safety Month

Each year The Clubhouse Child Care Center in Derry, devotes the month of October to Safety. Several activities are planned through out the month including visits from the Derry Police Department and a trip to the Derry Fire Station for the Preschool and Kindergarten class. The Derry Fire Fighters also bring a fire truck to the school for the two and three year old children to enjoy.

At the fire station, the children sat together while the fire fighters discussed fire safety, fire drills and having a safety plan in place both at school and at home. Afterwards, the children toured the station. They were able to sit inside the ambulance and the fire truck. Since many children are afraid of the fire fighters when they are in their fire suits, Miss Bonnie and Miss Shawna dressed in the suits while the children watched. It was then stressed that it was only their teachers inside the suits and it wasn’t a monster. Therefore, if they are ever in a situation where a fire fighter was going in to rescue them, they shouldn’t be afraid of the suit because a fire fighter is inside the suit and is there to help them. All the children received a fire helmet to take with them.

Officer Daniel Komenda also visited the children at The Clubhouse to discuss Halloween Safety. He told the children that wearing face paint instead of a mask would allow them to see better. He told everyone to watch out for traffic and to always carry a flashlight. Officer Komenda also reminded children to use extra caution around animals as the pets may not recognize the child and become frightened. When he left everyone received written safety tips and reflective tabs.

The Clubhouse parents, children and staff are grateful to our community helpers for taking the time to teach the children such valuable lessons in life.

Monika Farrington, Director

The Clubhouse Child Care Center

Local 4392 fundraiser for Seattle Stair Climb

A fundraiser was held Sunday Night November 2nd at Jillian’s Billards in Manchester NH for “Mr. Ed” Gannon. “Mr. Ed” is participating in the Seattle Stair Climb to raise money for cancer. The fundraiser was billed as firefighter appreciation night and many firefighters went to support our Union brother. There was also an appearance from the one of the Patriots Cheerleaders who helped pass around “the boot” collecting money from all the patrons in the establishment. The event raised almost five hundred dollars. To date, “Mr. Ed” has raised over one thousand dollars for this just and noble cause.
“Mr. Ed” is the first firefighter from NH to compete in this event. He is traveling to Seattle, where he will climb 69 stories, each step raising money for those who suffer or suffered from cancer. “Mr. Ed” will be climbing those stairs wearing full firefighting gear and breathing air from his SCBA. When “Mr. Ed” reaches the top of the tower, instead of taking the elevator down like most, he has committed to climbing only stairs so not only will he climb the 69 stories up, he will also go down the 69 stories on foot as well.
“Mr. Ed” will be traveling to Seattle in March of 2009, plenty of time to raise a lot more money!All the members of Local 4392 want to wish “Mr. Ed” the best of luck!