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Morganton approves participation in Burke County first-responder program to let firefighters provide BLS care
Summary
Council approved the Morganton Department of Public Safety entering Burke County's first-responder program, allowing trained firefighters to provide basic life support on certain incidents while liability and medical oversight shift to county EMS.
MORGANTON, N.C. — The Morganton City Council on Dec. 1 approved the city's request for its Department of Public Safety to participate in Burke County's first-responder program, enabling certain trained firefighters to deliver basic life support (BLS) care on selected calls.
Chief Ryan explained the program and said it's not intended to make the fire division the primary responder to medical calls but to allow trained personnel to provide immediate aid at scenes such as traffic accidents while EMS units are en route. Ryan said the department has 27 firefighters in the division and 19 already hold BLS certification.
He told the council that under the agreement medical liability for those actions would transfer to Burke County because firefighters providing BLS will operate under the county EMS director and medical director's license.
"We're not asking that the fire division run medical calls on a day-to-day basis or respond to medical calls," Ryan said, "but there are certain calls that they already go on that they could be useful at and use their certification."
Council moved, seconded and approved the city entering the contract with Burke County by voice vote.
What's next: The department will begin operating under the county program and will coordinate with the county EMS director on protocols, training and scope of practice. Staff said most day-to-day medical calls will remain under county EMS responsibility.
