| | | | WCFD Paramedics The West Covina Fire Department has taken another step forward in providing more efficient field care for our customers. The program provides advanced level medical care in a more timely fashion to the citizens. This has been done by converting all five Engine Companies into Paramedic or Medic Engines.This engine company carries a full complement of paramedic equipment and has two firefighter/paramedics assigned to it. This company is able to administer advanced life support to critically ill or injured patients when seconds count, and is also a Type I Municipal Fire Engine staffed with an Engineer/Operator and Captain both of whom are also EMT's.
The Fire Department currently provides the Emergency Medical Services for the City of West Covina, both on a Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support level utilizing private ambulances for transport.
This is accomplished by responding the closest Engine company to provide paramedic service and the closest private Ambulance to provide any transportation that might be needed. Currently, the West Covina Fire Department operates out of five fire stations with five Medic Engine companies, one Truck company, and one Battalion Chief or Command company. All fire suppression personnel are currently trained to the EMT-1 or EMT-Paramedic level.
A recent review of the EMS statistics for the past two years shows an average of approximately 4000 medical aid calls per year with 764 being cardiac related and 148 were cardiac arrests. Two thousand of the patients treated are critical care patients requiring advanced life support. The engine companies have average response times of three to five minutes due to geographical location, but that time can be longer depending on the availability of the companies and current demands for service.
This program will provide an even greater level of life-saving service to our customers, the residents of West Covina.
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