RBFD Upgrades Emergency Medical Skills

All fire personnel at the Red Bluff Fire Department recently completed a significant medical skills upgrade which will now permit firefighters to intubate unresponsive and non-breathing patients using a device called a Combitube (left photo).

Division Chief Gerry Gray stated that this new emergency medical skill is above and beyond the scope of the standard Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level that the department previously maintained.  “We are very pleased to now offer the capability of Combitube intubation on medical emergencies.  Establishing and maintaining an open airway in unresponsive and non-breathing patients is sometimes very challenging in the field.  This device will greatly increase the chances that life-saving oxygen gets to our patients.”

Gray added that the training and application of this new skill was authorized by the medical authorities at Nor Cal EMS in Redding who define all of the policies & procedures that north state emergency medical personnel can use in the field.  “The folks at Nor Cal EMS gave us the green light on this upgrade and we followed their training curriculum & protocols to bring all of our fire personnel up to speed on this.”

Gray also noted that this skills upgrade is a notable departure from the standard EMT skills since it is considered an “invasive” procedure.  “Essentially, RBFD personnel are now trained and equipped to insert a long tube through the patient’s mouth into their esophagus to permit the unrestricted delivery of oxygen to the patient.  Once the tube is inserted, we will breathe for you and will continue to do so until you are transported to a hospital.  This type of procedure was once generally limited to paramedics and higher-trained medical personnel” Gray stated.

Only patients meeting the Nor Cal EMS criteria may be considered for this new procedure.  Patients such as infants, toddlers, and persons under 4 ft tall are excluded from this procedure as are patients who have consumed caustic substances such as poisons and other chemicals.  Patients with esophageal ailments are excluded.  Lastly, and most significantly, the patient must either be breathing inadequately or not breathing at all.

“Since medical emergencies constitute nearly 80% of the department’s 2,300 calls each year it was natural for us to look for new ways to better serve our community” added Gray.

Gray believes that the vast majority of patients contacted each year will not need the assistance of a Combitube for breathing, but to those who do, this new device will increase their chances of survival.  “We continue to move forward with the times.  We will remain very progressive and proactive to the needs of our community.  Our residents should be proud of the high level of skilled service that the RBFD provides them with each and every day” concluded Gray.

The RBFD does not charge any fee for emergency medical responses and will continue to provide their upgraded emergency medical services at no charge.  The initial supply of Combitubes, which cost approximately $70 each, was purchased with Federal grant funds.  The training and administration for the program was paid for with department funds.