Emergency Medical Services

The EMS Bureau is responsible for the coordination and operational readiness of the department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS).  The EMS system is designed to meet the out-of-hospital emergency medical care needs of the citizens and visitors of Franklin in a timely and efficient manner.  Franklin’s EMS providers respond to all medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, and any medical needs that may arise.  Activities performed by this division include implementing and monitoring pre-hospital care, continuous quality improvement programs, maintaining Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic state licensing training and records, as well as updating and clarifying EMS policies and procedures.  The EMS Division coordinates and completes state mandated training and provides recommendations and technical support for departmental EMS and fire related training.  The Franklin Fire Department employs 18 EMT Basics and 27 Paramedics. 

The personnel who provide the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Franklin are the same personnel who fight fires, perform vehicle extrication, handle hazardous materials, and provide fire prevention.  Every member of the department is qualified to provide the services mentioned above.  If a fire call comes in, the personnel assigned to the stations respond in fire units leaving the ambulance behind.  If the call is for EMS, those same people respond in the ambulance leaving behind the fire vehicles. 

In 2007, a department restructuring occurred that resulted in the reclassification of three employees to Paramedic Lieutenant.  During 2008, the three personnel appointed to the Paramedic Lieutenant positions learned about the EMS operations from an administrative point of view as well as some of the responsibilities required by the state.  By the end of 2008, the Paramedic Lieutenants were established as leaders on their respective shifts and have been writing curriculum for on-going EMT refresher, organizing and managing the internal as well as public CPR classes, and ordering and stocking EMS supplies for the department’s needs. 

The members of the Franklin Fire Department have shown that they have the highest regard for all patient care.  Nearly every week the Fire Department receives a thank you or letter of appreciation from a patient.  The members of the department represent some of the best trained personnel equipped with the latest equipment and supplies.  However, the training and equipment are not what makes the members of the Franklin Fire Department great at what they do.  The members of the Franklin Fire Department approach every call as though the patient is a loved one.  Along with performing their skills efficiently and professionally, Franklin Fire Department members go out of their way to do the little things for the patients like ensuring their belongings are cared for, their pets are safe, and their homes are secure.