Ambulance Services
The ambulance service area (ASA) covers an area of about 800 square miles which includes the fire district.
FireMed Ambulance Membership
FireMed is an ambulance membership program that protects members from out-of-pocket expenses for medically necessary ambulance services. For an annual fee, members receive coverage for up to two emergency transports per household member per year, ensuring peace of mind when urgent medical care is needed.
EMS Roles
Paramedics and EMT's are trained professionals who respond to emergency medical situations. Prehospital care providers are classified in levels, depending upon their degree of training.
In Oregon there are 3 general levels of prehospital care providers: EMT, Advanced EMT, and Paramedic.
Emergency Medical Technician
Becoming an EMT requires specialized training, as well as an internship in a hospital emergency room and on a transport ambulance. An EMT delivers a standard of care known as Basic Life Support (BLS), and performs life saving skills such as using automated external defibrillators (AED), CPR, bleeding control, splinting, oxygen therapy and administration of epinephrine for a severe allergic reaction. EMT training allows first responders to assess medical situations and stabilize patients for transport. Patients with more severe illnesses or injuries often require ALS care provided by Paramedics for further stabilization and transport.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
This level of Emergency Medical Technician bridges the gap between an EMT and Paramedic. In addition to performing all the functions of an EMT an A-EMT has additional skills and training which include: the use of manual defibrillators and cardiac monitors, establishing intravenous access and administering certain IV medications.
Paramedic
All SLCF&R career personnel are certified to the level of Paramedic. Paramedic certification in Oregon is obtained through a 2 year Associates Degree. To become a paramedic, extensive training and internships on both the ambulance and in the hospital setting are required. Paramedics are able to assess and treat a larger range of injuries and illnesses, and can deliver many lifesaving drugs to patients in the field. Paramedics perform Advanced Life Support (ALS) procedures, some of which include: endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), cricothyrotomy, needle chest decompression and administration of IV fluids and medications. Paramedics can also analyze 12 lead ECG's to help make early determination of heart attacks in the field, delivering patients to the appropriate hospital more efficiently and better treating and stabilizing the patient en route.