Recently the EMS division made an operational change and moved to a backpack style setup for the Advanced Life Support equipment. This change was based on an opportunity to streamline patient care as well as minimize the expense of duplicate medications and other equipment. Additionally a backpack system is safer to use versus a shoulder strap bag as it eventually distributes the weight of the bag across the entire back and not one shoulder.

With the switch to the new backpacks we were left with four used, but in decent condition bags. Rather than writing off these bags and putting them in storage or dispose of them the department decided to repurpose and allocate them for new roles. Two of the bags were allocated for use by our Advanced EMT providers. Advanced EMTs are intermediate providers who operate with a scope of practice which is expanded more than a traditional EMT but not quite to the same level as a paramedic. These bags can be placed in service when there is an Advanced EMT on the ambulance and contains all the equipment allowed by the Department of Health to operate at the intermediate level. By creating a separate bag from our paramedic equipment it creates a more efficient system as the Advanced EMTs are able to have approved items at their disposal and not have to sort through medications and equipment they are unable to use.

The 2nd set of bags have been outfitted as "Fireground Rehabilitation" bags to be stored on the fire apparatus. These bags are stocked with equipment typically utilized on an active emergency scene and allows the ambulance to remain intact with equipment and able to quickly respond to any emergencies. Contained in these bags are blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and stethoscopes to obtain vital signs as well as equipment for irrigation & bandaging for wounds, cold packs and towels for cooling of firefighters, and oxygen delivery devices. Also included in these bags will be tracking forms so each firefighter who is evaluated can be appropriately tracked and given additional medical care if needed.