Depts. Recognized for EMS Care at CFSI
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For the first time at CFSI, three fire departments whose members provide EMS to their communities were lauded for their services.
The MedicAlert Foundation partnered with the Congressional Fire Services Institute to sponsor the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS awards to volunteer, combination and career departments.
The awards were presented Thursday night at the annual fire and emergency services dinner that attracted more than 2,000 people from around the country.
The recipients of the EMS awards included the Odessa, Del. Vol. Fire Co. for the volunteer award; the Friendswood, Texas Vol. Fire Dept. for the combination award, and the Northwest Fire/Rescue District in Tucson for the career award.
"The Odessa Fire Company went from no ambulance service less than 15 years ago to having ambulances built with state-of-the-art safety equipment. Improvements are constantly being made both in and outside the vehicles that provide greater protection for the patient and crew," said Mary Dean, chair of the MedicAlert Foundation.
She added that the department has taken safety a step further by placing equipment in the patient compartment that signal turns and braking.
"Odessa is leading the way in setting an example of achieving excellence in safety for both the patients and providers," she said.
The Friendsville Vol. Fire Department in Texas was lauded for its initiatives as "a leader in providing high quality prehospital paitent care and community wide emergency response."
The department, that is supplemented by a paid crew during the week, was recognized for innovations in treatment, leadership, and education. In addition to patient care, the responders also promote emergency planning as well as conducting CPR training for citizens.
The career department selected for recognition handled the shooting at a Tucson shopping center that left several dead and injured, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Crews had participated in a mass casualty exercise in December, just one month before the call came in that would test what they learned.
"While many precious lives were lost that day, the training and response of Northwest Fire/Rescue District saved many lives at this tragic event," Dean said. "You made the fire/EMS service across the nation very proud that day."
