Patrick Varine
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Lately, when Penn Hills residents call for a medic, they might find they get a firefighter.
Or it could appear so at first glance.
In reality, firefighters from any of four Penn Hills fire stations who might show up in a truck are certified by the state’s Quick Response Service. The state Health Department has checked to make sure that they are trained and equipped to function as auxiliary, on-scene medical personnel.
The responders assist until emergency medical technicians from an ambulance service get there.
“We’re performing this service for ... when Penn Hills medics may be tied up,” said firefighter Dave Sanford, one of the members of the service.
So sometimes firefighters hear, “Oh, the fire department is here — my house isn’t on fire!” said Dan Fitzhenry, deputy chief of Rosedale Station No. 222.
The need for urgency, however, is no less, and the Quick Response certification makes sure the auxiliary responders have the equipment they need to stabilize a patient until emergency medical technicians arrive.
“We carry basic equipment — oxygen and things like that — so if someone’s having chest pains or shortness of breath, we can assist the situation and be, as (the program’s title) says, ‘a quick response’,” Fitzhenry said.
State officials check to make sure the responders have all equipment on a 30-point checklist. That includes everything from a stethoscope to a portable oxygen tank. Fifteen members of Station No. 222 are certified in Quick Response, and four of the municipality’s seven fire stations have QRS-trained members.
Statewide, there are 517 fire departments certified in Quick Response.
Quick responders do not have to be firefighters; civilians may also be certified. However, besides being equipped to state standards, they must be accompanied at the emergency scene by an ambulance attendant, first responder, EMT, paramedic, pre-hospital registered nurse or physician.
Sanford welcomes anyone who may be interested in becoming a quick responder, since the municipality is large and has a high number of elderly residents.
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