Emergency Medical Services
EMS Personnel

The majority of calls to CPFD are for medical emergencies. The EMS team within the CPFD consists of trained first responders/emergency medical responders (EMR), emergency medical technicians (EMT) and a paramedic (P).

• The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) is to initiate immediate lifesaving care to critical patients. This first responder possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional EMS response and to assist higher level personnel at the scene and during transport. EMRs function as part of a comprehensive EMS response.  EMRs perform basic interventions with minimal equipment.   Trained and certified emergency medical first responders are the first critical on-scene personnel of an emergency medical services system. Their care of a patient, while awaiting the arrival of higher trained EMS personnel, is the foundation upon which subsequent medical care is based.  Crystal Park EMR's are overseen by a qualified medical physician.   Educational requirements:  Successful completion of a state approved Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) course. Four CPFD firefighters are cross-trained as EMRs.

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. EMTs function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. EMTs perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance. The EMT is a link from the scene to the emergency health care system.   Educational requirements: Successful completion of a state approved Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course.  CPFD has 4 EMTs.

• Paramedic (P) The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an ambulance. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system. Educational Requirements: Current certification or licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and successful completion of a state approved Paramedic education program.