When there’s an accident or other emergency that involves an injury, time is a precious commodity. Fast responses to emergencies can often mean the difference between life and death and emergency personnel are always striving to find faster, better ways of treating patients — even before they reach the hospital. The Bald Eagle Volunteer Fire Company is another of the areas volunteer comany localities that has implemented a Quick Response Service (QRS) to help treat patients even before paramedics arrive on the scene.
“We’re local people helping local people,” QRS volunteer Ann Dillon said.
Bald Eagle Chief Scott Illig said that the QRS has already shown itself to be a valuable asset to the rural community. After about 40 runs, over half which were in the Bald Eagle area, the advantages of a first response unit are evident.
“Sometimes the EMS ambulances are not close to a scene,” he said. “The QRS gets there before the ambulance and can get the patient ready for the paramedics. While we don’t transport, we are able to administer aid until the ambulance arrives.”
The unit has grown since it started in February — and so has its capabilities. The latest edition is a new Laerdal suction unit for cardiac arrest emergencies. Illig noted that the fire company has been adding equipment and people have donating supplies as the service has expanded. For the time, a brush fire truck doubles as the QRS response vehicle and Illig said the unit could still use some help.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, whether it be on the fire side or the QRS side,” Illig said. He pointed out that seven emergency medical technicians were running with the service, as well as a few registered nurses. The service is a 24 hour a day, seven day a week operation run by volunteers, help was always welcome. “Drivers are always needed and there are other ways to help out.”
Illig and Dillon noted that the community has been extremely supportive of the local QRS, not just the Bald Eagle Fire Department. “The people know us and we know them,” she said of the unit members’ roots in the community. This is also helpful in finding the scene, a task that can be confusing in rural areas. “The local QRS volunteers are familiar with area and that cuts down on the time it can take to get to the scene.”
