During the month of May, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) from American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance service and firefighter EMTs from Portland Fire & Rescue, Gresham Fire & Emergency Services, and Portland International Fire Department are taking part in joint, interactive training sessions that focuses primarily on medical decision making and code skills.

The Training Sessions are instructed by Dr. Jon Jui.  Dr. Jui is the Portland Fire and EMS medical direction as well as the Multnomah County Medical Director. Dr. Jui has been the County Medical Director since 1995. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine and Infection Control. He divides his time between Multnomah County, Portland, AMR, Gresham, and the Communications Center. Dr. Jui is also an employee of the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) as an emergency physician and Associate Professor for the emergency medicine residency program.

During the course of the joint training, EMTs were provided the opportunity through lectures and several hands-on skill stations to practice advanced patient assessment and intervention, and put to use clinical decision making skills.  This type of training helps establish relationships and fosters open lines of communication between the different agencies.

EMTs are responsible for a range of knowledge and skills, including new information resulting from the constant growth and evolution of the field of emergency medical care. In order to maintain up-to-date proficiency, EMTs are required to regularly participate in educational programs that provide exposure to new knowledge and skills resulting from advances in emergency medical care.

Emergency Medical Services in Portland

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Portland is provided via a public Advanced Life Support (ALS) first response Bureau and a private ambulance transport agency. ALS first response is provided by PF&R while the ambulance transport is provided by AMR ambulance services. AMR is contracted through Multnomah County to provide ambulance transportation in the City of Portland.

Questions about PF&R’s EMS services? Contact Portland Fire's Administrative Office at (503) 823-3700.

PORTLAND FIRE & RESCUE Always Ready, Always There

June 2, 2010