For decades, the communities of Delaware County have received emergency medical services. Whether from ambulances, EMTs and paramedics, help has been available from the 25 volunteer emergency squads throughout the county. These squads provide supreme emergency services. to over 1,446 square miles of back roads, hills and valleys. Emergency squad volunteers serve on call, and respond to emergencies such as motor vehicle crashes, fires or other mishaps and a wide variety of medical situations including heart attacks, strokes, illness and injuries. Qualified squad members provide assessment of a medical situation, intervention, stabilization and monitored-transport to a medical facility. Their prompt response and intervention is often the difference between life and death- this is no small responsibility, and one that depends on a steady supply of committed volunteers.

Volunteers are not necessarily all medical. There are many other positions on the Emergency Squad that need to be filled as well. Some of the other positions are:

• Ambulance driver

• Ambulance helper

• Certified First Responder

 

You may already have the skills that you may need to help with:

• Bookkeeping

• Inventory

• Equipment maintenance

• Station cleaning

• Other support services

Once you become a member of a local Emergency Squad, you can train to become a Certified First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Critical Care, and Paramedic, the most advanced level. Training is provided at no cost to the squad member, at locations across the county and is available for college-credit.

Emergency Medical Services Certified Skill Levels

Certified First Responder
Provide basic life support skills, including;

• Bleeding control

• Suctioning

• Oxygen administration

EMT-Basic
Basic life support skills above, plus advanced techniques including;

• Monitoring of vital signs

• Splints

• Limited injections

EMT-Intermediate
EMT-Basic skills, plus;

• Endotracheal tubes and IV’s

• Manual cardiac defibrillation

EMT-Critical Care
EMT-Intermediate skills, plus;

• Administering medicine

• More advanced bone injury care

• More advanced cardiac care

Paramedic
EMT-Critical care skills, plus;

• Needle chest decompression

• Pharmaceutical intervention

 

For more information on volunteering with your local emergency squad or becoming and EMT, contact:

Delaware County Office of Emergency Services
280 Phoebe Lane, Suite 3
Delhi, NY 13753
Phone: (607) 746-9600
Website: www.dcdes.org

Director of Emergency Services: Richard Bell
richard.bell@co.delaware.ny.us

Deputy Director of Emergency Services: Steven Hood
steve.hood@co.delaware.ny.us

911 Coordinator: Steve Finch
steve.finch@co.delaware.ny.us