Pictured is the ALS Rapid Response vehicle operated by the Elmhurst Fire Department, which recently brought an award to the City for Best Innovation, given by the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. When a paramedic is in the vehicle, is cleared from a medical situation and is not needed to go to the hospital, the paramedic will be available to go on another call. This helps reduce time staff spends waiting for reports to be completed, the ambulance to be restocked, etc., resulting in more availability for subsequent emergencies in the City.
DMMC selects Elmhurst over five other communities
The Elmhurst Fire Department’s new ALS Rapid Response Vehicle was recently awarded the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference’s “Best Innovation” award, receiving more votes that any of the other six municipalities vying for the award.
The vehicle, a 2017 Ford Explorer, is known as Rescue 1. Elmhurst Fire Department paramedics staff the Rapid Response Vehicle around the clock, greatly enhancing existing ALS service, which is provided with a paramedic transport (Medic 1 and Medic 2). All of the equipment, including a cardiac monitor/defibrillator, ALS medications, and a Zoll AutoPulse, fits perfectly in the back of the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle is more maneuverable through city traffic.
“We are on the cutting edge here in Elmhurst, providing paramedics and an advanced support Rapid Response Vehicle,” said Fire Chief Thomas Freeman. “We are very proud to be recognized as innovators for this service to our community.”
The Elmhurst Fire Department is one of the first departments in the county to use this new service model. When a paramedic is in the Rapid Response Vehicle and is cleared from a medical situation and is not needed to go to the hospital, the paramedic will be available to go on another call. This helps reduce time paramedics spend waiting at the hospital for reports to be completed and the ambulance to be restocked, resulting in the immediate availability for subsequent emergencies in the City.
