The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division of the Penn Township Fire Department is a very big and very busy part of what we do.  Since "Johnny and Roy" became a national phenomenon as L.A. County Firefighter-Paramedics on the TV show EMERGENCY!in the early 1970's, fire departments across the US have been following suit by assuming their own important part of the three-tier process in getting you to emergency care in a hospital or trauma center. Access to emergency care and transport begins with the call to 911, where a trained Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) sends the closest help, and provides instructions over the phone to the caller, which will help the sick or injured person while waiting for trained help to arrive.  This is an especially important link in cases like a cardiac arrest (heart attack).

There are currently only 11 paramedic ambulances for the entire St. Joseph County area (not counting volunteer Basic EMT services in the towns of Lakeville, New Carlisle, North Liberty & Walkerton). There are 38 firehouses.  That means it is much more likely that a fire truck is closer to you at any time than an ambulance.  So, with that thinking, the system is designed that whenever anyone calls 911 for a medical emergency, the closest fire engine is sent to the scene at the same time as a paramedic unit, to provide immediate care to a patient while the ambulance is still enroute.

Penn Township is proud that it offers 24/7 EMS, at the Advanced EMT level.  This means that our state-certified EMTs can provide all the basics of First Aid and emergency care, as well as more advanced procedures, like establishing IV access for medications, defibrillating (shocking) heart attack patients, establishing advanced airways, and administering some limited medications.  In the near future, changes at the state law level will allow our A-EMTs to also provide treatments for asthma attacks, diabetic reactions, and to transmit advanced EKG readings from heart attack patients to the ER doctors and cardiologists.  

Nationally, emergency medical incidents and responses to injury accidents constitute about 70% of the fire department workload.  By law, Advanced EMTs must report a minimum of 56 hours of classroom learning and run audits, and re-qualify in a dozen practical skills every two years.  Penn Fire also requires each of our firefighters to participate in a minimum of 60 hours of in-house training per year.   It is all aimed at us being ready to do our best job for you when you call.  Study is also currently underway about establishing Penn Township's own paramedic ambulance, to provide an even higher level of service to our residents.