Emergency Medical Services Transition
Hudson Community Fire Protection District Release
INRE: Emergency Medical Services Transition
23 June 2020
The recent changes to raise Illinois minimum wages to $15/hr. over the next 4 years will have a negative impact to the Hudson Fire emergency services budget that would not be sustainable within the next two years.
In order to provide the Hudson Community continued Emergency Medical Services, the
Hudson Community Fire Protection District entered into an agreement with the Town of Normal contracting with the Normal Fire Department to provide advanced EMS service and transport to the district.
"After great deliberation and consideration, we recently decided to enhance our EMS services by contracting with the Normal Fire Department," said Jeff Thomas, Hudson Fire Chief. "We realize the change may come with questions from our citizens, but rest assured the change will both enhance our services and assure the continuation of EMS services when our citizens need it."
Beginning the first week of July, Normal Fire Department will support all medical emergencies and provide emergency medical service transport to those in need in our district. The enhanced contract services will replace the services of the Hudson Ambulance.
Normal Fire will provide the same services already provided to Towanda Community Fire Protection District the past several years. Additionally, Normal Fire has been the primary provider of advanced emergency medical care to the Hudson Fire Department via mutual aid since 2010.
The decision does not come without some mixed emotions. In 2007 members of the district asked for citizens to approve an ambulance service when the private Mclean County ambulance provider dissolved quickly. For nearly 14 years, HFD has supported a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance manned by two basic level Emergency Medical Technicians on a 24/7 format at the station.
"We are proud of the service our EMTs have provided to the community all these years. Their service has supported every emergency contingency from the birth of a child to life saving interventions in cardiac emergencies. We now look forward to the enhanced services that Normal can provide, and that we will continue to support. " said Thomas.
"We have always had a very positive relationship with the Town of Normal and their mutual aid services over the years." said Mike Burton, Hudson Community Fire Protection District Trustee. "This decision will ensure that our citizens will be provided the great services already provided for years to come."
To prepare for the transition, HFD has required that all volunteer members be licensed at the Emergency Medical Responder level. Under the new model, members will respond initially to medical calls and provide emergency services intervention in support of Normal Fire. Normal Fire Paramedics will then transport and provide Advanced Life Support (ALS Ambulance) interventions that include medications for cardiac and pain interventions beyond the scope of HFD's current BLS level.
For those with questions, or for those requesting further information, please feel free to contact:
Jeff Thomas, Hudson Fire Chief, jthomas@hudsonfire.org, 309-726-1501
Shane Hill, Hudson Deputy Fire Chief, shill@hudsonfire.org, 309-726-1501
INRE: Emergency Medical Services Transition
23 June 2020
The recent changes to raise Illinois minimum wages to $15/hr. over the next 4 years will have a negative impact to the Hudson Fire emergency services budget that would not be sustainable within the next two years.
In order to provide the Hudson Community continued Emergency Medical Services, the
Hudson Community Fire Protection District entered into an agreement with the Town of Normal contracting with the Normal Fire Department to provide advanced EMS service and transport to the district.
"After great deliberation and consideration, we recently decided to enhance our EMS services by contracting with the Normal Fire Department," said Jeff Thomas, Hudson Fire Chief. "We realize the change may come with questions from our citizens, but rest assured the change will both enhance our services and assure the continuation of EMS services when our citizens need it."
Beginning the first week of July, Normal Fire Department will support all medical emergencies and provide emergency medical service transport to those in need in our district. The enhanced contract services will replace the services of the Hudson Ambulance.
Normal Fire will provide the same services already provided to Towanda Community Fire Protection District the past several years. Additionally, Normal Fire has been the primary provider of advanced emergency medical care to the Hudson Fire Department via mutual aid since 2010.
The decision does not come without some mixed emotions. In 2007 members of the district asked for citizens to approve an ambulance service when the private Mclean County ambulance provider dissolved quickly. For nearly 14 years, HFD has supported a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance manned by two basic level Emergency Medical Technicians on a 24/7 format at the station.
"We are proud of the service our EMTs have provided to the community all these years. Their service has supported every emergency contingency from the birth of a child to life saving interventions in cardiac emergencies. We now look forward to the enhanced services that Normal can provide, and that we will continue to support. " said Thomas.
"We have always had a very positive relationship with the Town of Normal and their mutual aid services over the years." said Mike Burton, Hudson Community Fire Protection District Trustee. "This decision will ensure that our citizens will be provided the great services already provided for years to come."
To prepare for the transition, HFD has required that all volunteer members be licensed at the Emergency Medical Responder level. Under the new model, members will respond initially to medical calls and provide emergency services intervention in support of Normal Fire. Normal Fire Paramedics will then transport and provide Advanced Life Support (ALS Ambulance) interventions that include medications for cardiac and pain interventions beyond the scope of HFD's current BLS level.
For those with questions, or for those requesting further information, please feel free to contact:
Jeff Thomas, Hudson Fire Chief, jthomas@hudsonfire.org, 309-726-1501
Shane Hill, Hudson Deputy Fire Chief, shill@hudsonfire.org, 309-726-1501