Emergency Medical Services Division

Strokes
Symptoms
Risk Factors
What you can do

Medical Supervisor - Barb McBride

Medical Supervisor's Responsibilities:

• Patient Billing
• Insure compliance with State rules/regulations and Department SOG's
• Attend State EMS Board and Organization meetings
• Maintain training and recertification records
• Schedule department-wide EMS training
• Maintains medical records for exposures, occurrences and vaccinations
• Coordiantes scheduling of the hazmat team's bi-annual physicals

Medical Coordinators

Each of the three shifts has a Medical Coordinator. Coordinators work under the medical supervisor and report to him on the various projects they may be working on as well as progress of the day to day operations and training.

WFR's paramedics are some of the best-trained, best-qualified medics in the region. With 60 hours of required continuing education credits needed every two years, training is of great importance for the department. We offer approximately 40-50 hours per year of in-house training; most is done by the medical coordinators. Each of the three shifts has their own medical coordinator. That person is responsible for training, monitoring numerous medical supplies for all of the ambulances, assuring the needed supplies are in stock and ordering those supplies. There must be constant communication between the three shifts to ensure the EMS division runs smoothly. The coordinators must also be able to answer any questions or concerns their personnel may have on that shift. As well as the day to day operations of their shift, they are responsible for monitoring in service and out of service ambulances and are able to make decisions affecting them to keep things running smoothly. They must possess a good rapport with hospitals, ER personnel and doctors, as well as shift commanders and the public. They must have good knowledge of how the department operates and be able to make decisions needed in the absence of the medical supervisor.

"A" Shift Coordinator

Stan Mingus

Stan is a paramedic / firefighter. He started on the department in 1983 and has been a paramedic since 1985. In 1996, Stan was selected as "Paramedic of the Year".

"B" Shift Coordinator

Jason Hernandez

Jason was promoted to Medical Officer 5-11-2004. He is a member of the Tech Rescue Team, BLS, ACLS and EMS instructor He has a Critical Care endorsement. His past-times are scuba diving, volleyball & softball.

"C" Shift Coordinator

Ryan Mahood

Ryan was promoted to medical officer on 12-05-2005. He enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing & motorcycles

Along with the training required as part of the EMS division, our EMS personnel also train with the entire department on fire suppression.

Waterloo Fire Rescue EMS Division is also involved in outside events. Some of the other services the EMS division provides are:

• Ambulance coverage for rodeo and bull riding events.
• CPR training for all fire personnel, as well as the police department and 911 dispatchers, day care workers and factory personnel.
• Outside health and safety talks to nursing homes, retirement homes, healthcare workers, scout troupes as well as volunteer fire and EMS departments.
• Community programs i.e.: flu shot clinics, safety fairs and blood pressure checks.
• We also work with area colleges allowing EMS students to participate in clinical ride along time on the ambulance, which is required for their EMT certification.

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Heart Attacks

What actions you should take if you/someone else is experiencing any of the symptoms of a heart attack?

• Call 911
• If you experience signs or symptoms of a heart attack the earlier you seek medical help the better. The pain you feel in your chest is the heart telling you it is not getting the needed oxygen it needs to function. The heart muscle is being damaged because of lack of oxygen because of an obstruction. The faster you seek medical treatment to alleviate the blockage the smaller the amount of damage will be done.
• This is also why you should lie or sit if experiencing these symptoms. The harder you make the muscle work the more oxygen is required, (which is already a problem) which makes the problem worse.

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Stroke

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