EASTON — Chief Justin Alexander is pleased to share that a new partnership between the Easton Fire Department and the PC Institute for Medical Education (PCI) will result in unparalleled training and simulation experiences for the department’s paramedics.
Through the partnership, Easton paramedics will receive medical school-level training in PCI’s state-of-the-art simulation labs and on donated tissue. Through these training experiences, EFD’s paramedics will be able to practice skills that are referred to as high-risk, low-frequency, which are skills and procedures that are critical but not performed often in the field, and often occur under extreme pressure.
During an event on Wednesday, Oct. 13 Town Administrator Connor Read, Director of Health and Community Services Kristin Kennedy and State Rep. Carol Doherty joined Easton Fire command staff and paramedics for a tour of the PCI facility and to see Easton paramedics at work in the simulation labs.
PCI is a state-of-the-art medical-based educational facility located in Fall River. The facility features large lab spaces and smaller simulation rooms, as well as conference and lecture-style rooms. The facility offers students on-site access to all of the necessary medical equipment used for hands-on BioSkills training and simulations, as well as cameras and live two-way communication for larger groups. PCI staff includes certified radiology technicians, surgical technicians and lab technicians.
“I am very proud of the level of care that our paramedics and EMTs provide to Easton residents, and we are always looking for ways to enhance our skills and knowledge to continue to improve our service to the community,” Chief Alexander said. “Training is a crucial part of our work — not just learning new skills, but also practicing the skills we already know to make sure we remain proficient. The unique type of training our paramedics will be able to do in the PCI facilities is invaluable. Minutes make a huge difference when someone is experiencing a medical emergency or suffering from a traumatic injury, and having the training to perform high-risk low-frequency procedures, as well as having cutting-edge tools like our new ultrasound diagnostic equipment, will help augment the level of care that we can provide.”
Following a tour of the facilities, Lt. Jeff Dupuis, Firefighter Michael Eaton, Firefighter Trevor Burnaby, Firefighter Rich Salve III took part in training exercises led by Firefighter/Public Health Officer Tim Vamosi, Captain John Dzialo, Deputy Chief Jon Carroll, Fire Chief Justin Alexander, and Easton Fire Medical Control Doctor Henry Crowley.
“Easton Fire has long been a leader in the Commonwealth and this new venture is the next step in their continuing professionalism and expertise for the benefit of the health and safety of our residents,” Town Administrator Read said.
Added Rep. Doherty, “I was pleased to be invited to this event by the Easton Fire Department Chief Alexander, to join Easton firefighters at the PC Institute for Medical Education in Fall River as they participated in a Paramedic training session. I want to congratulate the Town of Easton and its fire department for its vision of what a well-trained department should be. PCI uses state-of-the-art technology as actual hands-on, lifesaving actions are demonstrated and applied by participants. The goal for Easton is to have trained the entirety of the department.”
The simulation labs feature full-body manikins that can mimic a patient demonstrating vital signs such as a pulse or chest movements and can make noises such as coughing. The manikins also incorporate computer technology and can be connected to vital sign monitors. The labs are connected to a control room where an instructor can oversee the training and can control the manikin to simulate different scenarios or reactions.
The manikins allow for skills-based simulations as well as scenario-based simulations that allow for trainees to not only be evaluated on their skills, but also their communication with each other and overall care for the patient.
“A partnership with PC Institute allows our highly skilled paramedics to preform procedures in a manner that befits the measure of training required for meeting the needs of our valued patients,” said Public Health Officer Vamosi. “The amount of knowledge and experience required to carry out the advanced procedures that our medics employ is matched by the quality and environment provided by PCI, its educational opportunities and its knowledgeable staff. Airway technologies, surgical airway procedures and so many other invasive life-saving interventions can be practiced safely here so that we are best prepared for when they happen in the course of our duties.”
Easton paramedics demonstrated the use of the manikins in treating a patient who was suffering from a cardiac event. Throughout the scenario they monitored the “patient’s” vitals and inserted an IV to administer medication. The “patient” then coughed, indicating that breathing was improving.
Paramedics also demonstrated on the manikin the use of intraosseous (IO) lines in the case that an IV cannot be used, various methods of airway management and an automated CPR machine.
Town Administrator Read, Director Kennedy and Rep. Doherty were also able to perform lifesaving measures on the manikin with the help of paramedics.
Additionally, the Easton Fire Department introduced its new ultrasound diagnostic equipment. This equipment is essentially a handheld ultrasound device that connects to a tablet and allows paramedics to see the internal images via the tablet. This helps to provide critical information to paramedics regarding a patient’s injuries or diagnosis, particularly that of a trauma patient, and can assist with transportation decisions and how best to manage prehospital care. Ultrasound images are displayed via a tablet, and can also be transmitted to a hospital’s emergency department for evaluation prior to the patient’s arrival. EFD is one of only a few agencies in the region to have this type of equipment.
The facility also features lab spaces for tissue training. In this space, paramedics will be able to practice skills, such as airway management methods on cadavers, which is especially valuable training because they are able to feel the difference between a human body and the manikins.
“It was insightful to witness the thoughtful discussion and sharing of experiences and observations between Easton’s professionals, our Medical Director, and the staff at PCI,” said Easton’s Director of Health and Community Services Kristin Kennedy. “The ability for these professionals to train and discuss in such a controlled environment was invaluable.”
The Easton Fire Department is the first fire department in the region to introduce this simulation-based, medical-school format of paramedic training. Chief Alexander expects to have all of the department’s paramedics complete hands-on training in the facility once per year. EFD is also working with PCI to develop a membership program for other agencies in the region to train paramedics at the facility.
“We’re honored to be the first in the area to partner with PCI and introduce this type of training, but we also look forward to working with other departments to expand this and really be able to enhance the care that we provide to community members across the whole region,” Chief Alexander said. “I think this format of training can be advantageous and effective for a lot of departments, especially smaller community departments that might not be able to afford the high-tech simulation equipment that is available at PCI.”
Chief Alexander would like to thank Dr. Henry Crowley, PCI Executive Director Victor Machado, Dr. Chuck Pozner, Rep. Carol Doherty, Town Administrator Connor Read, and Health and Community Services Director Kristin Kennedy for their support of the event.
“As the active in-the-field Service Medical Director for the Town of Easton, it is very apparent that there is a need for live training utilizing cadavers for critical procedures that are not performed on a regular basis. With this being said, working in conjunction with the PC Institute for Continuing Education, we now have the opportunity to provide this advanced training to our prehospital health care providers,” said Easton Medical Director Henry Crowley. “By providing this type of physician directed advanced training, we can provide knowledge concerning anatomy and physiology necessary to perform these and other procedures precisely and confidently. Easton Fire Department and its constituents of providers is the first department in the region to participate in such training. In the future, this training will be made available to ensure confidence for the future. Access to this institute will also be utilized for remediation in continued proficiency as we cultivate our Easton providers into health care practitioners as opposed to merely technicians. My commitment as Service Medical Director will be to continue to assist Easton Fire Department with this endeavor, academically and clinically into the field.”
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