QRS - Holiday Park VFD

The state of Pennsylvania defines the “Quick Response Service” or “QRS” as an operation in which emergency medical services providers of an EMS agency or fire department:
(1) respond to an actual, reported or perceived emergency; and
(2) provide emergency medical services to patients pending the arrival of an ambulance.

Holiday Park VFD was one of the first volunteer fire departments in the state of Pennsylvania to be licensed as a QRS. This was done at the time of the creation of Plum EMS when we turned over our ambulances to them to get the new organization started. With EMS a strong presence and tradition in the department, we started our QRS operations. Since then we have been assisting not only Plum EMS but the other EMS ambulances services that are called into Plum Borough.

We focus on providing Basic Life Support till the Advanced Life Support personnel on the ambulances arrive on-scene. QRS/EMS operations are overseen by the department’s Medical Officer who reports directly the Fire Chief as well as to our Medical Director (a command Physician at AHN-Forbes Hospital).

Our QRS is recognized at the “Master” level by the 𝗣𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺, created by the Pennsylvania EMS for Children program, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS. This is a multi-tiered recognition program for EMS agencies who establish programs and standards to improve their capabilities to deliver care to pediatrics. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘘𝘙𝘚/𝘌𝘔𝘚 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.

WHAT DOES THE QRS CARRY?

Our vehicles carry all the necessary and mandated equipment/gear to conduct Basic Life Support operations. This includes but is not limited to: Oxygen, AED, backboards, collars, vaccu-splints, burn kit, OB kit, certain medications, suction unit, mass causality kit, etc… Our goal is to initiate patient care, conduct assessment, stabilize/treat the patient, and assist ambulance crews with further treatment.

(PHOTO: HPVFD members from QRS crew, recognized for a CPR Save along with Plum EMS)

QRS PERSONNEL

A large percentage of our department personnel are certified as:
– Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
– Emergency Medical Technicans (EMT)
– Advanced Emergency Medical Technicans AEMT)
– Paramedics (EMT-P)
– Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse (PHRN)

Each level requires a different amount of schooling and hands-on training followed by state and national certification testing. Every member of the department is also trained in CPR/AED use for all ages as well as LifeFlight Medical Helicopter Landing Operations. Internal Training sessions are held to reinforce EMS skills.

COMMUNITY FIRST AID/MEDICAL SUPPORT:

Our QRS crews also assist with staffing medical/first aid teams at special events in the community. Utilizing our equipment, certified personnel, and ATV we can cover events such as Road Races, Bike Races, Soccer Tournaments, Festivals and more to provide emergency on-site medical care. From a simple first aid station to roving patrols with patient transport capability to a large medical tent with examination areas; we bring our expertise to any event.

(PHOTO: We crewed shifts at Plum Soccer Classic and a First Aid-Medical Tent)

(PHOTO: 236-QRS & 236-SERVICE at Boyce Park Mud Run)

EMS ON-GOING TRAINING

In 2018, the PA Department of Health, designated the Holiday Park VFD as a Continuing Education Sponsor & Site; where we can host EMS classes that award credit to existing providers as mandated by the state to maintain certification. Some of the classes hosted range from BLS Skills refresher to Cold Weather Injury response to Water Rescues. We currently have three members who are certified EMS Instructors by the state and five CPR/AED Instructors certified by the American Heart Association.

(PHOTO: Holiday Park VFD hosted a Emergency Medical Responder course in conjunction with CCAC)

(PHOTO: Holiday Park VFD training with Plum EMS)

(PHOTO: Holiday Park VFD training with Boyce Park Ski Patrol)

(PHOTO: Medical responses to pool incidents training class)

VEHICLES

Currently, our department operates several certified QRS vehicles to respond to EMS calls. These vehicles have to meet strict criteria and carry specific equipment mandated by the PA Department of Health as well as our Medical Command, AHN-Fobes. In order for a vehicle to respond it must be staffed by certified BLS Providers (EMR, EMT, Medics); supplemented by Firefighters trained in CPR/AED.
– 236-QRS (dedicated primary EMS response vehicle; designed specifically for EMS Ops)
– 236-UTILITY (combination special operations and EMS vehicle)
– 236-RESCUE (EMS capable to assist during Rescue Ops such as vehicle accidents and special rescues)
– 236-ENGINE (EMS capable to assist during Fire Ground Operations & EMS Back-Up)
– 236-ATV has a EMS-Rescue mode where it can be converted to carry patients
– In Addition: 236-Chief & 236-Medical Officer’s vehicles are equipped to respond directly in their vehicles to assist/back-up the vehicle/crews above on EMS/QRS calls as well as Mass Causality Incidents.