The Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Masimo are set to honor the Philadelphia Fire Department with the 2024 Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award.
This accolade is in recognition of their innovative approaches in emergency medical services (EMS).
The award presentation is scheduled for the 34th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner on April 29th in Washington, DC.
The Philadelphia Fire Department earned this distinction through its implementation of Alternative EMS Response Units (AR), which offer Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities in non-ambulance vehicles across four types of emergency medical care.
These units include SUVs staffed by paramedics and specialized care providers, catering to a variety of needs within the community.
One such unit operates in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania, providing emergency medical care and courtesy transportation to students with low-acuity complaints.
Another is dedicated to an area with a high incidence of substance use disorder, and a third focuses on behavioral health emergencies.
Additionally, a utility cart equipped with ALS equipment and staffed by a paramedic serves Philadelphia International Airport, offering rapid response to medical emergencies.
The success of these units in alleviating the strain on the EMS system has led to plans for further expansion.
Jim Estepp, President of CFSI, praised the Philadelphia Fire Department’s commitment to innovation in EMS: “With fire departments across the nation developing innovative programs to enhance their EMS capabilities, CFSI is proud to co-sponsor the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award with Masimo to recognize fire departments for their innovations.
“I extend my congratulations to the Philadelphia Fire Department for developing an innovative EMS program that is enhancing the level of emergency medical care for the citizens of Philadelphia.”
Andy Jones, Senior Vice President of US Alternate Care at Masimo, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of innovation in improving patient care outcomes: “Masimo is proud to co-sponsor the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award.
“At Masimo, we focus on the spirit of innovation just as fire departments strive to innovate in their delivery of emergency medical care.
“By offering industry-leading monitoring solutions, we are helping fire departments improve patient care outcomes at the emergency scene, resulting in more lives being saved.
“Congratulations to the Philadelphia Fire Department for being honored with this award.”
The 2024 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner not only celebrates the achievements of fire departments like Philadelphia’s but also supports the mission of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
As a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy organization, CFSI’s aim is to inform Congress about fire and life safety issues.
The recognition of the Philadelphia Fire Department by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and Masimo underscores the essential role of innovation and adaptability in emergency medical services.
The department’s introduction of Alternative EMS Response Units represents a proactive approach to addressing community-specific needs, improving response times, and optimizing the allocation of EMS resources.
As communities continue to evolve, so too must the strategies of emergency services to meet these changing needs.
The Philadelphia Fire Department’s success with its AR units serves as a compelling case study in the power of innovative thinking to solve complex challenges in public health and safety.
