Firefighters take on lifesaving care for critical patients course

Heartland Medical Direction (HLMD) and Guthrie Fire-EMS recently sponsored an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course for local fire departments. Fire fighters from Sooner Volunteer Fire, Woodcrest Volunteer Fire, Langston Volunteer Fire, Meridian Volunteer Fire, Deer Creek Fire, and Coyle Volunteer Fire were able to send firefighters to this course. Twenty one students graduated the course and will soon be taking their state license exam.

The EMR course is 50 hour comprehensive course that teaches immediate lifesaving care to critical patients who access the emergency medical services system. EMRs have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide immediate lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS resources to arrive. EMRs also provide assistance to higher-level personnel at the scene of emergencies and during transport. Emergency Medical Responders are a vital part of the comprehensive EMS response.

This course was made possible through a grant from the Oklahoma State Health Department. The Oklahoma Emergency Response Systems Stabilization and Improvement Revolving Fund (OERSSIRF) provides grants to EMS agencies for the purpose of funding assessment activities, stabilization and/or reorganization of at-risk emergency medical services, development of regional emergency medical services (EMS), training for emergency medical directors, access to training front line emergency medical services personnel, and capital and equipment needs. This is the second year that HLMD has received the grant, thereby enabling the expansion of services and education offered.

According to Blake Braden, Paramedic with the Guthrie Fire Department and Director of Operations at HLMD, the students in this course will be able to offer their communities immediate first aid and advanced skills. In many of these areas an ambulance can be 15-20 minutes away. The EMRs can provide immediate lifesaving care.

Heartland Medical Direction provides medical direction to 18 EMS and EMR agencies across the State of Oklahoma. HLMD is responsible for comprehensive medical oversight of all clinical care provided in the Emergency Medical Service System. In addition, HLMD also provides medical control for both the Logan County and Canadian County SWAT teams. HLMD also provides training to local organizations regarding stop the bleed and active shooter training.