Paramedics are a part of the Emergency Medical System whose qualifications allow them to provide advanced life support measures
UConn Fire apparatus parked outside the Public Safety Complex. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
The UConn Fire Department has bolstered its paramedic service in Storrs through a new program that allows its on-duty firefighters who are licensed at the advanced life support (ALS) paramedic level with current medical control to now perform those duties.
The Supplemental First Responder Mobile Intensive Care-Paramedic Program began July 1.
Previously, these firefighters could perform paramedic duties only when working at the UCFD location at UConn Health in Farmington.
"Students, staff, faculty, and visitors at UConn Storrs have long received the highest-level of fire-based emergency care within seconds of request," says Fire Chief Chris Renshaw. "Our department can now utilize its firefighters who are paramedics in Storrs to their fullest capacity."
Currently, Francesco Marotta is the only Storrs-based firefighter who is licensed as a paramedic, but there are other Farmington-based personnel who are paramedic licensed and frequently work Storrs-based shifts. They too will be able to perform ALS duties in Storrs.
"At any given moment, we may have up to three paramedics in Storrs who are available to respond based off of their duties and availability," says Renshaw.
Paramedics are a part of the Emergency Medical System whose qualifications allow them to provide ALS measures. The first level of that system are emergency medical responders (EMRs), followed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Every member of the UConn Fire Department is certified at the EMT level, at minimum.
"I have always wanted to have the ability to help people, and that's what drew me into being a paramedic," says Marotta. "It's a great feeling to now know that I can provide relief immediately no matter what the situation is."
Paramedics are often able to perform duties on-site or in the back of an ambulance that elsewise who have to wait until a patient gets to a hospital emergency room.
"If a student suffers a dislocated shoulder in the recreation center and we have a firefighter/paramedic on duty in Storrs, we can now help that patient with care that would have had to wait for an off-campus paramedic or the hospital," says fire Capt. Robert Babcock.
Paramedic service to Storrs was previously handled exclusively by Windham Hospital, which will remain the primary provider in Storrs.
"Windham Hospital remains a very important and trusted partner for us," says Renshaw. "They are the closest hospital to UConn Storrs and provide excellent care."
This new arrangement will not only benefit those on campus but also will bring assurance to parents who are not with their children at the time of an emergency.
"A lot of times the parents are more anxious than the students," says firefighter Glenn Watts, whose son is a UConn student. "If someone's child is sick, having a medical issue, or having an emergency, a paramedic can quickly give the parents some peace of mind. Their student might still have to be transported to a hospital, but a parent, who might be four states away, knows their child is getting immediate care and that's a massive comfort."
"UConn is a great flagship institution, and we attract the brightest and most talented student population we can," says paramedic and fire Capt. Anthony Ruggiero. "Why shouldn't we provide the highest level of prehospital care to protect them? That's what we are doing."
