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Lieutenant ChuckWillard, EMS Coordinator

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

EMS Coordinator - Lt. Chuck Willard

Mission Statement

"The Joliet fire department EMS Division's mission is to provide rapid response to 9-1-1 medical emergencies with the highest level of training, including Advanced Life Support, to the sick and injured, with compassion and regard for safety. We also seek to enhance the quality of living in our community by promoting

wellness and health education."

In 2010 we added the “Reel Splint” to our front line ambulances. This product was developed for the military for use on trauma patients. It is designed for the stabilization of limbs damaged in severe accidents. Also in 2010, our paramedics certified in ACLS, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, through the American College of Emergency Physicians.

EMS training for the members of the Joliet Fire Department consisted of daily refreshers, monthly training, Will/Grundy CME requirements and guest lecturers. The daily training was set to the individual and engine company level and varied from Standing Medical Order refreshers to cardiac emergencies. Monthly training was done on a multi-company level and covered such topics as blood borne pathogens to advanced RSI intubations.

This year, two Joliet firefighters graduated paramedic school. As of this report, 197 out of 205 members are paramedic certified. Of the remaining eight, we have one EMT-B certified and five emergency First Responders.

The City of Joliet has enjoyed continued success in our partnership with Andres Medical Billing, CAB and CDA in cost recovery for ambulance services. In 2010, combined, they helped recover $3,869,936.63. This represents a 9% increase in revenue over the previous year.

The total number of ambulance Transports to our local hospitals for 2010 was 15,955. Ambulance 6 has bragging rights in 2010 as "The Busiest Ambulance in the City" with 2911 runs. These totals do not include the thousands of fire calls that our fire medics also responded to.

Joliet Fire Department paramedics also received numerous awards and recognition for life-saves and outstanding actions at the 2010 Will/Grundy EMS awards banquet. Our paramedics also mentored EMT-B and EMT-P ride-a-long students from Joliet Junior College, Silver Cross Hospital Paramedic School and WILCO EMT-B school. Passing on their knowledge and real life, hands on experiences to the next generation of medics.

 In addition to their regular duties, Joliet Fire Department paramedics served as the on-site medics for numerous local and national events including: Joliet Jackhammer Baseball; NASCAR Sprint Cup, Truck and Nationwide Series, IndyCar and ARCA racing and the Richard Petty Driving School at the Chicagoland Speedway, NHRA events at the Route 66 Raceway, the Joliet Autobahn Country Club and Grand Prix, Joliet Central, Joliet West and Plainfield South High School football games, plus numerous special events for the City of Joliet.

For special events in 2010, Joliet Fire Department Paramedics treated 865 patients and transported 119 to our local hospitals.

The Joliet Fire Department paramedic service proudly continues to serve the citizens of Joliet and the guests who visit our city.