Polk County Upgrades Emergency Services
Polk County, FL – (Feb. 5, 2016) –Polk County Fire Rescue has recently increased its level of customer care by upgrading their fire engines in the communities of Loughman and West Frostproof, equipping them with advanced lifesaving equipment and staffing them with a paramedic 24/7. These new upgrades bring the total number Advanced Life Support (ALS) engines in the county to 13.
ALS engines are required to staff at least one paramedic on-board, as they are able to provide more advanced medical services than an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The now 13 fire stations in Polk County with ALS apparatus ensures that Polk’s residents and visitors will be able to receive more advanced medical care faster.
“Our goal in any medical emergency is always to get a paramedic on-scene as quickly as possible”, said Polk County Fire Rescue Chief David Cash. “Their advanced treatments and ability to administer medications could be the difference between life and death.”
He added that while EMTs may arrive on-scene first, they are able to begin life saving measures and can inform the en route paramedic of the severity of the situation so that when the paramedic arrives they are better prepared for what measures need to be taken.
During emergencies, Polk County Fire Rescue will always send out the closest engine available. Thanks to a series of interlocal agreements between many municipalities, the closest available responder, regardless of what department they work for, will be dispatched to the scene.
“When someone calls 9-1-1, they don’t care about what logo is on the side of the vehicle that shows up,” Cash said. “They just want an emergency responder there as soon as possible.”
By upgrading these engines, PCFR has better dispersed paramedics throughout the county, providing these two areas with critical support closer than previously available.
In addition to the upgraded engines in Loughman and West Frostproof, ALS apparatus currently exist in the following areas: Bradley, Caloosa Lake, Four Corners, Highland City, Indian Lake Estates, Lake Hamilton, Polk City, Providence, Sleepy Hill, Sun Air and Willow Oak.
Polk County Fire rescue is pleased to increase its customer care quality and will continue making improvements to ensure they are providing the highest level of support possible.
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Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) is a division of the Board of County Commissioners. PCFR provides fire and emergency medical services to residents in a 2000 square mile area, as well as provides mutual aid to surrounding cities and counties. PCFR has more than 525 full time employees throughout 48 stations, which run more than 80,000 calls each year.
