Sangerville firefighters are pulling out the stops to upgrade their EMS service to their community.
Without state-issued emergency medical response license, they are limited in what skills they can provide such as CPR, administer Narcan and control bleeding.
"That's kind of where we stop our abilities for medical care. Therefore, many patients have to wait up to 45 minutes for further emergency medical services to arrive, Fire Chief Matthew Blockler told News Center Maine.
The new designation will permit them to provide additional treatment.
“Glucose for diabetic emergencies, aspirin, and things of that nature for heart chest pains,” he added.
Assistant Chief Travis LaBree added: “We have a few people who have those license right now, so once we get the state license to provide that care we'll be able to use those skill sets."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.