Cross Training Ensures Top Care for Benton County Residents

If you need care in eastern Washington, you would be well served to have Benton County Fire Protection District #2 respond to your pleas for help.

All members of the department--comprised of a mix of career (4), volunteer (35) and resident (6) firefighters, the only such ALS provider in eastern Washington to be classified as a combination department with both paid and volunteer members--are cross trained in EMS, minimally as EMT basics, although about half are trained as EMT intermediates and several are paramedics.

But even EMT basics are highly trained and can provide aid at a comparatively advanced level. They can perform several ALS procedures reserved for those at higher levels in many other states, such as 12-lead EKGs and administration of some drug therapies including epinephrine, glucose, albuterol and nitroglycerin. Paramedics are also trained to perform many invasive procedures such as advanced airways, rapid sequence intubations, cardiocentesis, etc.

"Washington State has very demanding training, even for EMT basics compared to other states," says Chief Ron Duncan. "We also have a very progressive medical program director who makes sure our education is up to par. That combination makes our EMT base pretty advanced."

AUTOMATIC MUTUAL AID

Based in Benton City, the department provides fire and EMS service for its 10,000 residents in an 88-square mile area that includes three highways, rural agricultural areas (including several vineyards) and federal property. It also provides EMS services for portions of Benton County Fire Districts #1 and #4 that extends ambulance service to 141 square miles. Annually, the department responds to about 700 calls with a fleet of equipment that includes two transport ALS ambulances, five staff vehicles, four wild land engines, two fire engines, two water tenders, and an aerial ladder, mobile cascade unit, rehab vehicle, bull dozer, mass casualty trailer and support trailer.

The department can also call on neighboring departments for assistance when needed, and vice versa. "We have a unique and in-depth mutual aid agreement with the 13 fire departments that surround us," says Duncan. "We all have mutual aid agreements where we can share resources as agency resources become depleted."

For example, if District #2's fire engines are tied up at a house fire and another call for a fire comes in, another agency will respond. Or, if assistance is needed at the first fire, the department can also request mutual aid.

Mutual aid is also automatic. "We're trying to augment the number of personnel we have on a fire," he says. "Our goal for residential structure fires is a minimum of 17 fire fighters on the first alarm. For commercial structures, the minimum is 24. None of the departments can accomplish that on their own, so we have automatic mutual aid. Other agencies are dispatched on the first alarm to augment services. It isn't mandated by the state, it's just something we've agreed to do. It helps improve firefighter safety and helps protect residents as well. Plus, we're able to better perform the many tasks which are required of us."

A similar scenario exists on the EMS side of the department. If District #2 doesn't have a paramedic on duty when it receives an advanced call, the department can request mutual aid from a local partner.

LAYING GROUNDWORK FOR THE FUTURE

Like many departments, District #2 struggles with attracting career firefighters, as well as volunteers. As such, it implemented a resident firefighter program earlier this year that is geared toward attracting recent high school graduates and college students. To date, the department has four residents and is taking applications to fill two additional spots. Funds for the program are supported by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant and supplemented by revenue.

The department provides all tuition payments, including books and travel to/from school, for a two-year program in paramedicine or fire science. It also offers a base pay of $400 and housing at the fire station. Residents have the opportunity to earn additional funds through a call-out system, or participation points, where performing extra duties will earn them extra pay. All training in structural firefighting, hazmat, EMT-Basic and wildland firefighting is also supplied. In return, the resident will work as a firefighter at District #2 until they graduate.

"It's a great opportunity for someone to get an education, job experience and qualifications to become a career firefighter," Duncan notes.