Broadcaster Press 6 May 23, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com May 21-27, 2017 National EMS Week A Word From The Chief The Vermillion Fire EMS Department is rich in both tradition and people. Providing fire protection from 1892 and EMS from 1971 we are proud to have been serving our communities for 125 years. There are 3 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company, 1 Heavy Rescue Company and 3 Ambulances in service every day to serve the citizens and visitors of the city of Vermillion and surrounding communities. Of course this is only possible because of our staff, we are truly fortunate to have some of the most talented individuals in the service as members. Our department is staffed with highly trained Volunteer Firefighters, Part-time EMS Staff and Career Officers. We value the history and the tradition of the Vermillion Fire EMS department, an organization built upon the strong shoulders of our past that has prepared us for the future. With the continued purpose of serving our community, and the vision to provide a contemporary, dynamic and sustainable fire and emergency medical services, the members of our Department are well suited to lead the way. As you visit our website, you will find information about the services we provide and the projects that we are working on as we continue to make Vermillion a great place to live and work. We are a vibrant department that values our past, understands the present, and embraces the challenges of the future. We are committed to providing the citizens of Vermillion and surrounding communities we proudly serve with the best service possible. I would like to personally thank Captain David Kyte, Operations Captain and Anthoney Klunder, Training Captain, for stepping up and taking command of the EMS Division during the last several months as I took over the position of Fire Chief. Your dedication and commitment to the Vermillion Fire EMS Department is greatly appreciated. Matthew R. Callahan Fire Chief EMS Division In 1971 the Vermillion Clay County EMS began providing the citizens of Vermillion and Clay County with quality emergency medical care. Vermillion Clay county EMS and the Fire Department have always been housed in the same facility and many times crossed staffed. In 2014 the two departments merged with the goal of improving services. Vermillion Fire EMS is a Licensed EMS provider with the South Dakota Department of State Health Services. All of our ambulances are licensed as a combination of BLS (Basic Life Support) and ALS (Advanced Life Support). Each ambulance carries advanced life support drugs, a cardiac monitor defibrillator, and other advanced EMS equipment to provide the highest level of care when EMT's arrive at the patient's side. Our relationship with area hospitals has given us the opportunity to play a part in successful patient outcomes related to Heart Attacks and Strokes by applying the latest treatments with the latest technology and equipment advances. We are proud to maintain an average response time of between 3 and 6 minutes throughout our community. We respond to around 900 EMS incidents per year and transport patients to hospitals in the Sioux Falls and Sioux City area including Yankton. Hospital selection is based on patient preference or appropriate facility based on the patient's condition. Personnel Staffing The EMS program is administered through the Vermillion Fire / EMS Department as an EMS Division. As a result, all EMS and fire personnel have opportunities to train together in emergency rescue, extrication, and the suppression and confinement of hazardous materials. There are 26 dedicated members of the EMS Division ready to serve. Utilizing Paid on Call staffing two of our three ambulances are staffed 24 hour a day everyday. This means that a crew of two or three is assigned to the ambulance for the 12-hour shift and they are not required to be in the station but they are required to respond within minutes of the 911 calls. Due to the response time requirements some staff members decide to use the stations living quarters and stay at the station for their shift. Administration The Vermillion Fire EMS Medical Director is responsible for all medical aspects of pre-hospital patient care. The Medical Director has the authority to approve the level of prehospital care which may be rendered by each of the departments members, establish and monitor compliance with field performance guidelines and establish and monitor training standards. A Full Time Deputy Chief heads the EMS Division and overseas all EMS operational / administrative staff. Bob’s Sinclair Service 200 E. Main • Vermillion 605-624-2731 Proud supporters of all Vermillion EMS and Fire Personnel! 113 W. Main St. • Vermillion • 624-2655 217 W. Kidder St. • Vermillion, SD • (605)624-3741 E M S Thank You EMS and Fire! PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR AREA EMS PERSONNEL Chad Smidt Agency 112 W Main St. Vermillion, SD 57069 (605) 624-2025 chadsmidtagency.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. American Family Insurance Company 6000 American Parkway, Madison WI 53783 Visit amfam.com for details. 007250 Rev. 1/17 ©2017 Thank You Vermillion EMS & Fire & Formal Wear Thank You EMS and Fire! 605-624-4132 Corner of W. Cherry & Stanford 605-624-8050 Thank you to all our local EMS and Fire responders. We appreciate what you do for our community! Thank EMS & & Fire Thank youyou EMS Fire for all that you do! for all that you do! Bunyan’s Bar and Grill 1201 W Main • Vermillion 1201 W Main • Vermillion 605.624.9971 605.624.9971 A special Thank You to all the Clay County EMS & Fire personnel for all that you do! 115 W. Duke, Vermillion, SD • 605-677-7073 201 W. Cherry St. • 624-4429 Yesterday • Today Tomorrow