FY2019 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2019

AMR Ambulance activity The Arlington Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System is designed to provide the highest level of patient care from the moment 9-1-1 is notified until arrival at a local hospital. Arlington’s EMS system is an integration of the resources of the Fire Department and our private ambulance contractor, American Medical Response (AMR). AFD’s First Responder Program dispatches fire apparatus as well as an ambulance on most medical emergencies. AMR is the exclusive ambulance service provider in Arlington and is a CAAS (Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services) accredited ambulance service. The ambulance contract is a fee-based system, with no taxpayer subsidy paid to AMR. AFD and AMR ambulance personnel receive authorization to provide emergency medical care from the Arlington EMS System Medical Director. The Medical Director is a physician who establishes standards and oversees all aspects of medical assessment and care provided by ambulance and fire personnel, 9-1-1 call takers, and dispatch personnel, and is a member of the Emergency Physicians’ Advisory Board (EPAB). 260 Cardiac Arrest Lives Saved 55.50% by Bystander CPR (Since 2011) Medical Director Cynthia simmons, MD Our HEARTSafe Community is a community of heroes and survivors committed to improving action and response to cardiac arrest through training, preparation and response protocols. The program includes criteria that supports the cardiac arrest “chain of survival”, then encourages the community to put that chain of survival into action. Activities that support a chain of survival can include: ▸Widespread CPR instruction ▸Public access defibrillators ▸Aggressive resuscitation protocols for first responders and area hospitals Communities that strive to become “heart safe” must meet the criteria established by the Citizen CPR Foundation and recertify every 3 years. HEARTSafe signage throughout Arlington is a reminder of Arlington’s Fire, EMS and local hospitals’ commitment to citizen health and safety. 37

FY2019 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2019 | Page 37