Taught By
Executive Director Travis Howe, Mountain Lakes (NY) Regional EMS Council; Deputy EMS Coordinator, Warren County (NY)
Deputy Coordinator John Tims, Warren County Emergency Services (NY)
Quotable Quotes
“Operating on the fireground is a low-frequency but high-risk event for most EMS personnel, yet we often fail to prepare and treat our response as a ‘standby,’ resulting in complacency and inaction. For the health and safety of ourselves, firefighters, and victims, we must be proactive and ready to go to work when needed. With three main tasks at every fire, proper response and preparation can guided by the six Rs of EMS on the fireground: Resources, Readiness, Retirement, Rehab, Rx, and Relationships. Working on the fireground has always been dangerous, but modern building construction and the toxins that burn in a fire should concern both firefighters and EMS professionals. Additionally, we need to get it right for our colleagues in the fire service. We must be ready to effectively medically monitor, rehabilitate, assess and resuscitate, and remain safe.”
Howe: “My 23 years of emergency services experience, including 12 as a firefighter and chief officer, have afforded me the opportunity to learn from filling nearly all roles on the fireground. Currently a deputy EMS coordinator in Warren County, NY, I have been fortunate to work with colleagues in creating an EMS response model that fits the needs of modern firefighting.”
