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EMS - Emergency Medical Services
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The Odessa Fire Department has been the emergency medical service
provider for the City of Odessa and Ector County
since 1973. We currently operate seven Mobile
Intensive Care Unit Ambulances and eight Advanced
Life Support (ALS) Fire Engines. Our coverage area
is approximately 904 square miles and we serve a
population of 124,000. The Odessa Fire Department
responded to 10,173 EMS incidents in 2001.
EMS Training
In 1996, the Odessa Fire Department assumed the
responsibility of providing our own Emergency
Medical Service continuing education training. We
trained and certified all of our uncertified fire
personnel to minimum of ECA level. Every member that
responds to an incident is qualified to provide
patient care. Our Training Division conducts
in-house continuing education classes to keep our
personnel current with the state mandated
requirements. This saves tax dollars and we maintain
a quality training program. We currently have 38 Certified Paramedics, 66 Licensed Paramedics, 25 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) and 23 Emergency Care Attendants (ECA’s).
Accomplishments
The Odessa Fire Department was voted EMS Provider of
the Year in 1998 and 1999 for the Texas "J" Region,
which extends south from Andrews to Terlingua and
west from Coahoma to Pecos. In 1970, the City of
Odessa was the first city in the state to provide
the 911 emergency dialing system. In 1972, the City
of Odessa was first in the state to provide the Jaws
of Life. Odessa was also the first city in the state
to have state certified ambulances. Under the
direction of our Medical Director Dr. Dave Spear,
the Odessa Fire Department is also utilizing
portable ultra sound monitors on our ambulances. The
monitors have provided valuable pre-hospital
assessment information to the paramedics and
emergency room staff.
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