In a recent three-day emergency medical services training, IU Health Emergency Medicine doctors and nurses worked closely with Fishers Fire Department personnel. The medical staff provided valuable insights into the real-world medical emergencies that firefighters might encounter. They trained using simulations, fake patients, and fake blood to ensure that firefighters were well prepared to provide on-the-scene emergency medical care.
The goal of the partnership between IU Health and the Fishers Fire Department was to improve patient care by ensuring safe transportation from the scene to the hospital. Natalie Zipper, manager of clinical operations for IU Health Saxony’s emergency department, emphasized the importance of working together as partners to save patients’ lives. By understanding each other’s roles and responsibilities, both medical staff and firefighters could seamlessly coordinate their efforts during emergencies.
The Fishers Fire Department meticulously planned various scenarios for the training, including emergencies such as an emergency medical call during a fire, crew members getting wounded, and multiple gunshot emergencies. Throughout the simulations, nurses and doctors from IU Health Saxony and North hospitals provided medical feedback to the firefighters and even volunteered to act as patients and bystanders. Their involvement in the training sessions facilitated a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by both parties in emergency situations.
Lieutenant Jeff Stephenson of the Fishers Fire Department highlighted the importance of building a strong working relationship between first responders and hospital staff. By seamlessly transitioning patient care from the scene to the hospital, patient outcomes can be greatly improved. This collaborative effort between IU Health and the Fishers Fire Department reflects a commitment to providing high-quality emergency medical care and ensuring that patients receive optimal care in times of crisis.
Overall, this partnership was seen as essential in delivering high-quality patient care by ensuring safe transportation from