Emergency Medical Services

The Town of Billerica Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

The Town of Billerica Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has 1 Paramedic Supervisor, 9 full-time Paramedics and 6 per diem Paramedics who provide the town with twenty-four hour, seven day a week Advanced Life Support, paramedic ambulance coverage. During the fiscal year July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005, EMS received 2301 calls for medical assistance, transporting 1342 people to area hospitals and trauma centers under emergency conditions. Out of town “mutual aid” ambulances responded to 135 of these calls. With the addition of a second staffed ambulance, “mutual aid” calls have decreased by 45%. The second ambulance has covered an average 24 calls per month that would have required the use of an out town, mutual aid ambulance. Private ambulances transported additional 26 patients to out of area hospitals.

The EMS Department currently has three ambulances. One is staffed 24 hours per day. A second ambulance is staffed Monday thru Friday 10 ½ hours a day. The ambulance fleet consists of a 2003 Horton Type 3 which has 60,000 miles and is in good condition. A 1999 Horton Type 3 which has 99,000 miles and is fair condition and a 1996 Horton type 3 with 123,000 miles. Currently the 1996 is only being used as an emergency mechanical backup. A new ambulance was put out to bid and awarded. Delivery of the new ambulance is expected for late spring 2006.

E.M.S. personnel are maintaining the First Responder System with the Police and Fire Departments. E.M.S. paramedics continue to update and recertify the police department in the use of automatic defibrillators. CPR and automatic defibrillation training was also provided to Billerica School Nurses, DPW staff and Recreation Department Lifeguards.

Chapter 111C Emergency Medical Care. Rules & Regulations are being established by DPH. AKA EMS 2000. Legislation passed by the state in 2003 is reforming emergency medical service statewide. The CMR regulations have been finalized. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has forwarded a template for “Service Zone Planning”. The service zone plan will define all local EMS resources, first responders and how they will be utilized. It will allow the Town of Billerica to set standards for response times and standard of care. We will also be required to take a complete inventory of all medical facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical clinics, & MD’s offices to see if they meet Billerica’s standard of care. The Service Zone Plan must be completed, approved by the DPH and implemented by December 31, 2006. Current litigation by two (2) special interest groups is holding these CMR’s from becoming law. There is hopel that an agreement between the Mass DPH and these groups can be ironed out.

Why does a Police Cruiser come when someone is sick or injured?

Primarily, a Police Cruiser is sent on a medical call as part of the "Chain of Survival". All police officers are trained as First Responders; some are EMT’s and Paramedics. Police cars are equipped with first aide kits and automatic defibrillators. When a life-threatening condition occurs, such as Sudden Cardiac Arrest or severe injuries, minutes, even seconds make the difference. Nationally, a police officer is first to arrive at a medical emergency 80% of the time. In Billerica the police department has a close working relationship with the towns Paramedics. Additionally, the extra personnel help reduce treatment time by assisting the Paramedics, by setting up equipment and gathering patient information. There are times when both paramedics are needed to treat the patient(s) and an officer will drive the ambulance to the hospital.

What is the "Chain of Survival"?

The "Chain of Survival" is a concept developed by the American Heart Association (AHA). It includes the components or "links" that must be in place to increase a patient’s chance of survival of sudden cardiac arrest. The Links include: Early Access to Care (Enhanced 911), Early CPR, Early Defibrillation/Basic Life Support and Early Advanced Life Support. The AHA has shown through research that the highest chances for survival happen when CPR and defibrillation are provided as soon as possible, followed by advance treatment by paramedics.