Firefighter Paramedics Celebrate Services

The city’s firefighter paramedics are celebrating 22 years of service to residents and businesses during Emergency Medical Services Week.

Of the Fire Department’s 210 sworn members, 67 are firefighter paramedics. They work from nine of the city’s 10 fire stations, which respond to nearly 22,000 calls for emergency medical services each year.

This year’s Emergency Medical Services Week theme is “Making a Difference for Life.” To continue that focus, a program to start in July will reach out to people who have made 911 calls, Administrative Division Chief Jerry Austin said.

They will be offered free training on how to assist victims of medical emergencies before paramedics arrive.

“We will provide training for people who have had family members who have had heart attacks,” Austin said.

Fire Chief Jeff Bowman came up with the idea, Austin said, as a way to “enhance our community service and become more community-friendly because of the need. We’re just taking the 911 system one step further.”

Walnut Manor, an Anaheim retirement home, has donated eight adult mannequins to the program, and its residents contributed $800, said Tabby Cato, Fire Department spokeswoman. Anaheim Memorial Medical Center is also a sponsor.

As part of Emergency Medical Services Week, paramedics will staff an outreach booth, conduct blood pressure checks and hand out materials on fire safety and drowning prevention at Saturday’s Anaheim Arts Festival, 201 W. Harbor Place.

Information: (714) 254-4022.