After several months of coordination between Taney County Ambulance District and Western Taney Fire, Chief Chris Berndt presented the board of directors with the fire districts newly issued Emergency Medical Response Agency (EMRA) License from the state of Missouri during their May 9 meeting. Prior to receiving the state license Western Taney County Fire Protection District was limited to providing a basic level of medical care.
The new licensure now allows paramedics who are employed by or volunteer with the fire district to give lifesaving medications and perform advanced procedures on those suffering from medical and traumatic emergencies. Some of the fire district vehicles will now carry medications that can be given during emergencies such as heart attacks, allergic reactions, and respiratory distress along with heart monitoring equipment and airway equipment.
The collaboration that took several months was an effort between Taney County Ambulance District, Western Taney County Fire Protection District, the State of Missouri and Medical Director Timothy Costello. The intent of the of being able to deliver this higher level of medical care is to strengthen the already efficient and profound services provided by the Taney County EMS system established by Taney County Ambulance.
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