Paramedic Program

Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association

SVAA's Paramedic Program

The Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association is embarking on a program to supplement paramedic coverage to the town of Suffield. Since 9-11 we have been unable to use the paramedic's from Bradley Airport as they are now being kept on the Airport due to increasing security concerns and staffing requirements.

To help assure Paramedic coverage to every patient who needs it, Suffield Volunteer Ambulance will be increasing the level of staffing of our primary ambulance to the paramedic level during daytime hours starting in the last quarter of 2002. This increase in level will help augment the current available coverage during the times of the day when we are the busiest and it is most difficult to get a paramedic from another community in a timely fashion.

Most of you are probably asking what is the difference between a paramedic and our current level. Well we currently provide an EMT-Intermediate on our primary ambulance. That Intermediate has gone through a basic EMT class (aprox 120 hours) and then an Intermediate class (aprox 200 more hours). In this process, they learn the basics of care and treatment for a multitude of conditions and injuries, and in addition tare taught advanced assessment skills along with I.V. therapy training.
A Paramedic must complete a basic EMT class first (aprox 120 hours) and then they complete a Paramedic program (over 1000 additional hours). During which they learn Advanced Assessment and I.V. skills (as the Intermediate did) along with Manual Defibrillation, cardiac rhythm interpretation, advanced airway procedures, Advanced Cardiac Life Support training, Pharmacology training, and advanced trauma care. Paramedics carry aprox 40 medications for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, 12 Lead Cardiac monitors with External Pacemakers and Manual Defibrillation capabilities, Advanced Airway equipment, and other items for Advanced Care.

It is with great enthusiasm that we look forward to this upgrade in service to the community. It is through the continued support of the residents of Suffield that this service is possible and for that we thank you.