The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department has recently launched a volunteer Paramedic Ambulance (PA) program that will provide advanced life support (ALS) medical care to the citizens of our community, significantly enhancing our already growing fire, rescue & EMS capabilities.

The Paramedic Ambulance, PA 801, was placed in service Friday, January 13, 2012, at 7:33 P.M., and dispatched on its first call one minute later. PA 801 responded to five incidents on its first tour of duty and transported someone on each of those incidents, including a person in cardiac arrest. The Hyattsville volunteers also continued to provide EMS services with their second ambulance that was staffed by EMTs. This unit, Ambulance 801, also responded to five calls in the same period.

Three members of the Hyattsville VFD have successfully completed the requirements to be both Maryland licensed and Prince George's County certified ALS providers. Additionally, a large contingent of our active volunteer membership already certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) attended and successfully completed a program to provide ALS assistance. ALS equipment and supplies are maintained by the County Office of Emergency Medical Services and will be provided whenever the PA is placed in service.

"The Hyattsville VFD is a great fit for those interested in EMS, both in a BLS and ALS capacity, due to its rapidly growing EMS program." HVFD EMS Sgt. and Paramedic Danielle Greene said. "As a member who transferred from another department in Prince George's County I was welcomed with open arms and encouraged to expand my ability to serve the community. All members are given equal opportunity and support to better themselves so in turn they can better serve the community."

Greene and fellow EMS Sgt. Ivan Lawit staffed PA801 for its inaugural 15-hour shift last Friday night into Saturday.

The Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad has been operating a similar Paramedic Ambulance Program since 2009.

"The Paramedic Ambulance program will positively display our EMS growth to the citizens of Hyattsville and beyond," HVFD President Dave J. Iannone said. "The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department has played an integral role with our station to accomplish this goal and has been key to its launch and continued success."

Training Reflects Dedication to EMS, HVFD

Becoming qualified to respond as an ALS provider is no small chore for anyone. In addition to hundreds of hours of classroom training and coursework, members must also complete the ALS Internship program which is nearly 500 hours of testing, academy work, protocol reviews, ride-alongs with ALS including with the county's medical director and more. The internship process alone typically takes a full year.

"The dedication of our members on all aspects of EMS has been tremendous," HVFD Chief David Hang said.

"Recruiting new EMS members is one of our priorities which means there are always new people with whom you can interact, teach and from which you can learn," Lawit added.

Prince George's County Fire/EMS Chief Marc S. Bashoor said, "I am proud of the Hyattsville volunteers for placing a Paramedic Ambulance in service, thus enabling them to provide that extra level of advance life support service that is so critical to the citizens and residents of Hyattsville and surrounding communities. They have added this service while continuing to give excellent basic life support ambulance, fire suppression, and rescue services."

The PA operates within the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Operational Program, as managed by the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department. It is expected to provide an emergency medical services team with equipment, supplies, and a vehicle for patient transport and emergency medical care out of hospital. The PA has the following capabilities: ALS medical care, staffed with a minimum of one Maryland-licensed and County-certified ALS provider, and one County-certified BLS provider.

In 2011, the HVFD received a state grant, adding Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to our ladder truck and rescue squad, equipping our entire frontline response fleet with the critical life-saving tool. The department will purchase a new ambulance in 2012.

The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department's primary response area includes the City of Hyattsville and Town of University Park, responding to more nearly 6,000 fire, rescue and EMS calls annually throughout northern Prince George's County and Takoma Park in Montgomery County. The department is staffed 100% by volunteer responders -- including 14 college live-ins -- after 5pm weekdays, overnight and all weekends and holidays. The HVFD is part of the Prince George's County Fire & EMS Department,