Fireline Emergency Medical Paramedic (FEMP) Training Program

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Fireline Emergency Medical Paramedic
(FEMP)Training Program
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Objectives

• Outline the role and responsibilities of the FEMP
• Describe the training and education that is
  required to become a FEMP
• Describe what equipment and supplies are utilized
  by the FEMP
• Discuss scope of practice, documentation
  requirements and the disposition of patients
• Review the principles in dealing with inmate fire
  crews

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Prerequisites for FEMP

• Complete the basic requirements for FEMP position
• Complete this self paced educational module
• Approval and verification by the employing agency
  fire chief to be able to deliver quality advanced
  life support (ALS) care in an arduous and austere
  environment.
• Home agency will supply required EMS equipment
  and medication for the FEMP as described in the
  position description.

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Role of the FEMP

• Fireline (may be vehicle based)
• Base Camp
• Spike Camp
• Helispot

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Arrive at the Incident

• Check-In
• Radio (clone or obtain)
• Obtain assignment (you should be paired)
• Obtain fireline supplies as necessary
• Contact time unit when possible

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Equipment and Supplies

• Bring what you need (surplus in vehicle)
• Replace through MEDL (except meds)
• Reimbursement process
• Narcotics
• Resupply
• Storage
• Waste procedure

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FEMP Scope of Practice

• Only permitted to practice as if in your home
  unit
• Consider on-line medical control when necessary
• Equipment list includes use of Metered Dose
  Inhaler (MDI)
• MEDL to notify host LEMSA

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Fireline Considerations

• Care may be temporizing
• Provide ALS care in an austere environment
• Altitude sickness
• Burns
• Snake bites
• Lots of minor first aid

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Disposition of Patients

• Air transport
• Ground transport
• Transport can be to either acute care facility or
  to the MEDL
• Return to fireline

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Helicopter Considerations

• Risk vs gain
• Safety practices
• Communications
• Aircraft capabilities
• Supply delivery

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Documentation and CQI

• Copy of PCR
• to home agency for disposition per home policy
• to MEDL
• to follow patient
• Primary CQI responsibility of home agency

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Required Training

• California EMT-P License and local EMS Agency
  accreditation
• Firefighter Training (S-130)
• Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133)
• Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190)
• Incident Command System ICS 100 and ICS 200
• Basic air operations course content

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Additional Training
Which Supports Development of Knowledge and
Skills

• Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician
• Introduction to Air Operations (ICS S-270) or
  equivalent

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Physical Requirements

• The work involved in this position is ARDUOUS

Arduous involves field work calling for
above-average endurance and superior
conditioning. For example, the USFS arduous pack
test requires carrying a 45 pound pack for 3
miles within 45 minutes without running.
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Personal Equipment

• Review Appendix C of the position description
• Varies by assignment
• Limit pack weight

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Communications

• Check in with your line supervisor
• Review the communications plan
• Confirm operational status of your radio

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Mapping

• Obtain incident map
• Identify Divisions and Branches
• GPS operation
• Map reading skills

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Working with Inmates

• All crew members have the right to be treated
  with fairness, maturity, impartiality and respect
• Obtain custodial permission to treat from crew
  supervisor
• If the inmate crew member needs to be
  transported, arrangements must be made for
  custodial staff to follow.

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Working with Inmates

• Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and/ or
  DMAT may be established at the incident base
• Refrain from casual conversation with inmate crew
  members
• Do not give to or take ANYTHING from inmate crew
  members without approval from the crew supervisor

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If you have further questions about this
position, please contact your training officer
and the FIRESCOPE website.