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than 20 percent of dispatchers are trained in rescue procedures.”
Last month the fire departments and rescue squads in Rappahannock, Culpeper and Fauquier counties participated in a joint exercise in emergency extrication. In addition to learning techniques to enter vehicles and stabilization and care of patients, the participants learned what specialized equipment is available from each county in the event of an emergency. Just as important, they learned to operate the various tools.
“Such cooperation between fire departments and rescue squads speeds up the assistance they can give to injured people,” the council said. Some departments and squads, like Sperryville, have assigned emergency duties; at an accident scene the fire department handles access to the patients, using extrication tools like the “Jaws of Life,” while the rescue squad members provide medical treatment. That way, rescuers can concentrate on patient care while the firefighters use their expertise to get to the patient and clear a way for him to be removed.
The EMS council, which oversees emergency medical services in the five counties of Planning District 9, will offer a number of courses in emergency medicine during the coming months. Some are designed for rescue squad members who wish to advance their training, others are basic courses and open to the public.
The classes which will be offered include:
• Emergency Medical Technician: Course leads to certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia to practice as an EMT. Feb. 16 to May 30, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. at Fauquier High School. Instructor will be Chuck Thompson. Pre-registration is required.
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