Cambridge Fire Expanding Paramedic Service

Cambridge, MA, December 21, 2017– Starting in January, 2018, Engine Company No. 3 in East Cambridge will begin Paramedic/Advanced Life Support service. Engine 3 will be the Cambridge Fire Department’s 5th paramedic unit to go in service, joining Engine 1, Rescue 1, Squad 2, and Squad 4.

Acting Fire Chief Gerry Mahoney said, “the men and women of the Cambridge Fire Department are excited to add another level of service for the residents and visitors to our city. The primary response district served by Engine 3 is transforming rapidly. By having an ALS capable unit in the area, we will save precious time in the response to and treatment of critically ill patients.”

Since the inception of paramedic service in 2005, the Cambridge Fire Department has been enhancing the emergency medical service it provides to the residents, visitors, workers, and students in Cambridge. The addition of Engine 3 offering paramedic level service will reduce response time for a paramedic level unit to arrive. Paramedic service by Engine 3 expands the current 21st century firefighting and all-hazards duties it provides the neighborhood.

“The men and women that serve on the Cambridge Fire Department are second to none,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Expanding paramedic service to the East Cambridge neighborhood will provide even better life-saving care, in less time. As this neighborhood continues to grow, I am pleased that we can station a paramedic level engine at our East Cambridge Fire Station.”

Paramedic Engine 3 will have the capability to provide the highest level of pre-hospital care during airway, breathing, and cardiac emergencies,, neurological and diabetic emergencies,, trauma emergencies, and also the ability to administer life-saving medications intravenously. As part of the city’s response to the opioid crisis, Narcan will also be carried on board. In addition to the highly trained personnel, Engine 3 will carry EKG monitors, defibrillator, advanced airway items including suction units, medications, IV fluids, backboard and spinal cervical immobilization equipment, and trauma treatment items.

The current complement of Cambridge firefighters includes 75 paramedics and 160 basic emergency medical technicians.

In the Fiscal Year 2017, the Cambridge Fire Department responded to 6319 emergency medical calls. In that same time period, Engine company No. 3 in East Cambridge responded to 715 emergency medical incidents.

For further information contact https://www.cambridgema.gov/cfd/contactforms/CFD