The Mindset of Progress: How MFPD has made the change from a Fire-based EMS system to an EMS-based Fire District

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

Location: 230B

Panelist(s)

Todd Besancenez, CCP Community Paramedic

Assistant Chief EMS
Mehlville Fire Protection District
Saint Louis, Missouri
Brian Hendricks

Chief
Mehlville Fire Protection District
Saint Louis, Missouri
Bonnie Stegman, PHD, MSN, RN

Associate Professor of Nursing/Treasurer, Board of Directors
Maryville University/Mehlville Fire Protection District
St. Louis, Missouri
Adam Hagar, BS, NRP

Battalion Chief-EMS
Mehlville Fire Protection District
St. Louis, Missouri

Description: This presentation will review the significant structure changes that are required for any Fire Based EMS service that is experiencing an increased level of EMS calls including an increase in the overall acuity level. We will outline the processes that we implemented and review the challenges that can be expected to arise. This information will be valuable to any department that has the desire to become a high performing EMS system that is Fire based. Topics include changes to job descriptions, hiring process changes, tiering of prehospital protocols, administration changes, new equipment, and medical direction changes.

Learning Objectives:

analyze the call data for the department and understand the direction and need for structure change.
identify the components and changes that are needed to create a high performing EMS Fire Based System.
describe the needed job description changes for administration and field personnel.
understand how these new changes have impacted out of hospital patient care beyond what is traditionally seen in a 911 response.
understand how these changes and this type of system have allowed EMS to provide higher levels of care in the field.