Officials with the Boiling Springs Fire District announced that medical care in emergency response calls is about to improve thanks to a $108,946 award from the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) grant program.
Through the grant award – requiring a 10 percent ($10,894) match from Boiling Springs – the District will be able to fund educational training to certify all line personnel to the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) level and 12 of those line personnel to the Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) level before they progress towards an Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification and participation in the community para-medicine program.
The Greer Fire Department has a working agreement with BSFD serving Pelham Road, Hudson Road, S. Batesville Road and Blacks Drive.
Chief Steve Graham of the BSFD said, "Our response data from recent years indicates that we’re continuing to see a substantial increase in the number and severity of emergency calls in our area. Because of the strategic placement of our four stations, we can respond faster and begin lifesaving care long before an ambulance arrives.
"Our county EMS is overburdened, and many times our firefighters are on-scene up to 20 minutes before paramedics arrive to provide more advanced care. Statistics like this illustrate how imperative it is that we increase our medical capabilities to better serve our community.”
“The equipment and training provided through this grant will be used in our community numerous times each day,’ said Tom McDowell, the District’s commission chairman.
“With more than 60 percent of our call volume now being coded as medical responses, our residents, businesses, and visitors could see immediate impact when the trainings and certifications are put in to use. By putting responders with more advanced training on the scene quicker, survival rates can be significantly enhanced,” said McDowell.