While we may not often think about it, where we choose to live can make a critical difference when a life-threatening illness or injury strikes. Metro West is almost unique in having paramedic firefighters on each emergency run made. Our fire engines and fire trucks, not just our ambulances, are fully outfitted with paramedic equipment and medical supplies including hear monitors/defibrillators, life saving drugs, etc., and most importantly, are staffed by highly-trained individuals, cross-trained and certified as both paramedics and firefighters. Few departments can claim this level of service with the immediate, on scene presence of advanced life support personnel, ALL the time, EVERY time!
In post 9/11 America where war and fears of terrorist attacks have brought the need for effective emergency response into sharp focus, USA Today conducted an 18-month investigation of emergency medical systems in the nation’s 50 largest cities. What they uncovered was that the chance of surviving a dire medical emergency in the USA was a matter of geography. In Seattle, their article’s “model” system, a call to 911 likely will bring instant advice and fast-moving paramedics and firefighters. Collapse in some other cities, according to the article, and “someone better call a cab.”
This article described the factors leading to the success of Seattle’s EMS system and compared them with the other 49 largest cities in the nation. Those critical factors are: Response time; length of time for help to arrive; and the level of training possessed by responders. Seattle and other cities use a tiered response system that uses firefighters with advanced first aid training as first responders to an EMS call. The role of the first responder is to provide basic care until an ambulance with Advanced Life Support-trained paramedics arrives.
The Metro West Fire Protection District is dedicated to providing the highest level of EMS service attainable. 74% of our total alarms are for emergency medical service, so we wanted to compare ourselves to the “model” system in Seattle and to that of the two major cities in Missouri.
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Seattle
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Kansas City
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St. Louis City
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Metro West
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First Responder Time
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6 min
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5 min
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4 min
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3:48 min
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Advanced Life Support Response
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10 min
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9 min
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6 min
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3:48 min
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Paramedics per 100,000 population
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13
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28
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11
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60
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Our system is unique in that all of our first responders are Advanced Life Support paramedics and all of our fire trucks are fully equipped to provide advanced life support. This allows Metro West to provide the highest level of care to a patient in the shortest time possible.
Each of our paramedic firefighters is also required to complete additional training and receive certifications from the American Heart Association in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support every two years. Also, each receives approximately 40 hours of continuing education each year. Most have advanced degrees and certifications.
EMS specialized services provided by Metro West: