EMS Profile

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 52 certified paramedics, 44 licensed paramedics, 15 emergency medical technicians (EMT’s), and 43 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.