ANDERSON, S.C.
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When an emergency call goes out, firefighters are often first at the scene. Not only do they battle flames, but it's also now a requirement that all firefighters with the Anderson City Fire Department be certified first responders. That means they can give medical aid to those who need it.
"We're running cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, unconscious, major traumas," said Luke Riddle, a firefighter with Anderson city.
"Medshore does get really busy, there are lots of calls that come into 911 for emergency assistance," he said.
The ambulance service is dispatched throughout the county and Riddle said it may take them longer to get to a scene. So that's when they pick up calls within the city limits.
"Those several minutes really can save a life," Riddle said. "It's just a great program that helps people ultimately."
Firefighters said they've already used their training. Within the first week of being certified responders, they gave medical treatment to two patients who were having heart attacks.
In order to get that certification firefighters had to take a 60-hour training course.
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