Updated Fire Service-Based EMS Tool Kit Now Available

February 19, 2014

Source: EMR-ISAC

According to the recently revised Fire Service-Based EMS Electronic Tool Kit – Resources for Leaders, the majority of EMS care in the United States is fire service based. The updated tool kit provides the fire service with extensive resources for providing the best EMS support for their communities while also helping fire service leaders educate elected officials and others to understand the multi-faceted field.

The electronic tool kit is divided into two sections: the first includes tools and information related to fire service-based EMS; the second discusses the impact of the federal Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on fire service-based EMS. Both sections include “Talking Points” and provide links to a variety of resources.

Some of the linked resources are: benefits of multi-role firefighters; a guidebook for fire-based EMS; addressing myths generated by private EMS providers; and the expanded role of EMS under health care reform.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), and the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) worked together on this update to the original 2010 edition.