General EMS Operations

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PURPOSE:

To establish basic guidelines pertaining to the Emergency Medical Services program and delivery for the Maitland Fire/Rescue Department. Maitland Fire/Rescue is the sole provider for Emergency Medical Services within the City of Maitland. The Department is duly licensed under the requirements set forth by the State of Florida, Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64E-2. This guideline will encompass all members of the Department. The Fire Chief will have final authority for changes to the EMS program. Authority to vary from this guideline rests with the Battalion Chiefs and the Deputy Fire Chief.

PROCEDURE:

• The Fire Chief will designate the Deputy Fire Chief to oversee the EMS program for the Department.
• The designated Deputy Fire Chief will remain apprised of all changes regarding requirements set for continued delivery of EMS within the City; and shall make recommendations to Administration on mandated changes to guidelines and policies.
• Vehicles will be stocked with EMS supplies in accordance with 64J-2 for ALS transport and non-transport units.
• EMS supplies and equipment will be ordered and inventoried by a “supply officer” designated by the Deputy Fire Chief. Paramedics and Company Officers will ensure that established minimum and maximum levels of all supplies are maintained and needs for replenishment are reported to the supply officer on a daily basis.
  

(Minimum levels are defined in the inventory books for each unit).

• EMS medications will be ordered and maintained by a “medication officer” designated by the Deputy Fire Chief. Medication/Fluid storage and security is addressed in SOG #220.03.
• Members of the Department are required to maintain all required EMS certification levels to include: EMT or Paramedic, valid driver’s license, BLS provider, ACLS, and PALS. Current copies of certifications will be carried in each member’s helmet while on duty.
• HRS records will be maintained by a designated member in accordance with requirements for FAC, Chapter 64I-2.
• EMS incidents will be recorded in an electronic format and completed prior to release from duty. Exceptions must be approved by the Battalion Chief.
• Medical billing and collection will be handled by a contracted, outside agency.
• It is the responsibility of all members of the agency to ensure that patient information needed for billing and collection purposes is correct, complete, and legible. It is the responsibility of the OIC to ensure that the information is in its proper format before being sent to Fire Administration.
• Requests for copies of EMS reports will be handled according to SOG # 220.10 & 220.11.
• Practice Parameters will be maintained on each unit and in electronic format. Continuous review will be accomplished at monthly Medical Director meetings and changes will be made as required by the Medical Director. Members will be notified in the form of email when changes have been made and the books on each unit will be updated.
• Newly hired or newly certified Paramedics will be placed in a training program defined as the “FIT” or Field Internship Training program and upon successful completion will be deemed autonomous. Paramedic interns are supervised by “preceptors” that have been appointed by the Fire Chief.
• Monthly Medical Director meetings will be held according to SOG 130.06. The Deputy Fire Chief will designate a member to manage these meetings. This member will develop an agenda and maintain minutes of each meeting.
• Monthly FIT meetings will occur with all Preceptors to review progress of Paramedic Interns. The Deputy Fire Chief will designate a member to manage these meetings. This member will develop an agenda and maintain minutes of each meeting. Minutes will be maintained and distributed to FIT preceptors and Fire Administration.