|
 |
 |
| Fire à
Medical
Services à
Heart
Safe Community CPR |
CPR and The Chain of Survival |
 |
What is the Chain of Survival?
The “Chain of Survival” is a concept developed by the American Heart
Association (AHA). It includes the components or “links” that must be
in place to increase a patient’s chance of survival from sudden
cardiac arrest. The links include; early access care (early 911),
early CPR, early defibrillation/basic life support and early advanced
life support. The AHA has shown through research that the highest
chances for survival are when CPR is provided as soon as possible, BLS
(with defibrillation) is provided within four minutes and ALS is
provided within eight minutes. Stay tuned to this website for
information concerning the development of community CPR classes to be
provided by the St. Charles Fire Department. In the mean time, please
visit the American Red Cross at for more information and class schedules.
How does the St. Charles Fire Department provide “Links” of the “Chain
of Survival?”
First, the County’s state of the art communications center provides
the “Early Access” link with the latest in Emergency Medical Dispatch
and enhanced 911. The enhanced 911 system allows dispatchers to
quickly pin point your location, as long as you are not on a cell
phone, and send the closest appropriate unit.
Next, the paramedics and first responders on the fire apparatus arrive
and begin CPR (if not already in progress) and begin advanced life
support including advanced airway management, electrical therapy,
intravenous access and medications. The final link we provide is
ambulance transport to the hospital.
Why does a fire engine come when someone is sick or injured?
Primarily, a fire engine is sent on a medical call as part of the
“Chain of Survival.” All of our apparatus are staffed with
firefighter/paramedics and equipped with all necessary advanced life
support equipment. The engine company can provide the same care as the
ambulance, with the exception of transport. Many times, given the call
volume for our department, simultaneous calls may be received which
means that our two ambulances are out of position. In these
situations, one of our five fire apparatus can arrive more quickly to
begin life saving care. When a life-threatening condition occurs, such
as sudden cardiac arrest or severe allergic reaction, minutes, even
seconds make the difference.
Additionally, the extra personnel help reduce the time it takes to
assess a patient and prepare them for transport to a medical facility.
They also provide a level of safety for the personnel on the ambulance
and the patient by assisting with removal of patients in tight
quarters or very large patients.
Your emergency call to 911 begins a series of events to deliver you
the highest quality emergency medical care with rapid transportation
to the most appropriate medical facility. In fact, emergency care
actually begins with a call to a civilian dispatcher who is trained to
provide emergency medical instructions on the phone while prioritizing
your needs. Once the level of response is determined, the nearest
appropriate advanced life support fire apparatus and ambulance are
sent.
This tiered response by the closest advanced life support fire units
provides immediate response to your medical emergency. The St. Charles
Fire Department can also utilize two medical flight helicopters for
transportation of the most seriously injured patients to the highest
level trauma facilities. Whatever the call, one simple number, 911,
brings our highly qualified emergency medical personnel to your door
within minutes.
|
|
| |
|
|
The mission
of the St. Charles Fire Department is:
· Service without boundaries;
·
Compassion and Integrity in all that we do;
·
Courage to move forward.
Ernie Rhodes,
City of St. Charles
Fire
Chief
|
|
Introduction