St. Johns Fire District has received and accepted an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) totaling $650,000. The grant will cover training for current STJFD personnel to attend and achieve the level of EMT-Paramedic.
“This grant allows the STJFD to provide a higher level of medical service to residents and visitors,” mentioned Fire Chief Colleen Walz. “The role of paramedic allows fire personnel to provide advanced lifesaving skills and pharmacological interventions to emergency patients.” The grant covers training, equipment, and costs associated with the Paramedic program. Approximately 80% of St. John’s emergency personnel are certified to the level of Emergency Medical Technician-Basic.
The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
-Submitted by Ryan Kunitzer, Fire Marshall/Battalion Chief, SJFD
(Image credit: sjfd.org)