ALS

The District has crossed trained Firefighter/Paramedics that serve in a dual role capacity. Both the primary Engine and Ladder Truck are permitted by the State of Florida as Advanced Life Support vehicles.

Our ALS program employs some of the latest trends in pre-hospital emergency medicine including the transmission of 12 lead EKG's to a hospital-based receiving station for physician review and adult IO insertion (for times when an IV can not be obtained) as pictured here.

Firefighter/Paramedics work under a very progressive ALS protocol. Firefighter/Paramedics and Firefighter/EMT's work in a team concept providing initial stabilization to patients prior to transport. Emphasis is placed on good airway management, pain control, and initial stabilization of medical patients.

Very often, our crews are able to perform the initial assessment and treatment of a patient prior to the arrival of a transport ambulance. Once on scene, ambulance Paramedics and our Firefighter/Paramedics continue the joint treatment of the patient in accordance with our Medical Operations manual.