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Quietly, the city of Warren is taking action that could benefit the rest of the county.
City Council members recently approved a memorandum of understanding with the union representing city firefighters that will allow firefighters to pursue Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification. Having firefighters capable of providing a higher level of EMS service obviously benefits city residents.
Eight to 10 firefighters have expressed interest in the training. The initial goal had been to enroll six firefighters. The training will use a hybrid format, with some coursework conducted online and 100 hours of required clinical training. Arrangements are being discussed with Warren General Hospital and other emergency service agencies to provide opportunities for the required clinical and road experience.
None of this sounds particularly exciting – but here's why you should care.
Warren currently relies on outside ALS services for 232 calls per year. City officials think having more firefighters with AEMT certification could decrease that number by roughly half and, possibly by as much as 75%. That means a quicker response for those calls for Warren residents.
Here's why residents who don't live in Warren should care. EMS has been in crisis for some time in Warren County. The city of Warren is already helping neighboring townships and boroughs by sending city firefighters outside the city to respond to EMS calls. But handling more of Warren's calls with Warren firefighters should, in theory, free up EMS response resources for rural areas of the county.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification for Warren firefighters doesn't solve the county's EMS crisis. But it certainly could be part of an overall solution.