Founded in 1966, Cumberland Healthcare is the emergency medical services provider for the Cumberland area. Our dedicated team serves a large geographical area spread over four different counties, including Barron County encompassing the city of Cumberland, the Village of Turtle Lake, the Village of Almena, Townships of Almena, Crystal Lake, Cumberland, Lakeland, and Maple Plain. Polk County Townships of Beaver, Johnstown, and McKinley. Burnett County Township of Roosevelt. And Washburn County Township of Barronett.

Cumberland EMS operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing advanced life support services with a team of skilled professionals. Our staff includes Advanced and Basic EMTs, Some of which hold multiple licenses as paramedics, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, firefighters, and certified instructors. With a commitment to excellence, our team is trained to handle any medical emergency with expertise and compassion.

At Cumberland Healthcare EMS, we prioritize collaboration and partnership with our local first responders. We work closely with air medical transports, multiple fire departments, police departments, and sheriff’s offices to ensure a seamless and coordinated response to emergencies. By fostering strong relationships with these essential community partners, we are able to provide the highest level of care and support to those in need. Our shared commitment to public safety and well-being drives us to work together effectively, ensuring a swift and comprehensive response to any situation. Together, we stand united in our mission to serve and protect the residents of our service area.

In addition to emergency 911 response and inter-facility transport, Cumberland Healthcare EMS offers standby services at community events. Whether it’s school activities, tractor pulls, or outdoor concerts, our team is there to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. We also prioritize community education by offering CPR and first aid training to empower individuals with life-saving skills.

Our mission is to provide high-quality emergency medical services to the communities we serve. With a focus on excellence, compassion, and community engagement, we are dedicated to keeping our residents safe and healthy.

EMS Oath

“Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will honor the physical and judicial laws of God and man. I will follow that regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, nor shall I suggest any such counsel.

 Into whatever homes I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of only the sick and injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of men unless required by law. I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from what I have learned.

 I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better world for all mankind. While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life, and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times. Should I trespass or violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot. So help me God.” Written by: Charles B. Gillespie, M.D. Adopted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians 1978

Emergency Medical Services: Providing Critical Care When Every Second Counts

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In times of crisis, when every second counts, EMS professionals are the frontline responders dedicated to providing immediate medical care. This page explores the vital role of EMS, its services, and how it contributes to community health and safety.

What are Emergency Medical Services (EMS)?

Emergency Medical Services, often referred to simply as EMS, are a vital component of the healthcare system. EMS personnel are trained professionals who respond to medical emergencies, providing immediate care and transportation to medical facilities when needed. Their primary goal is to stabilize patients and ensure they receive appropriate medical treatment as quickly as possible.

Services Provided by EMS

1. Emergency Response: EMS personnel respond to 911 calls for medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, accidents, and traumatic injuries. They assess the patient’s condition, provide initial medical treatment, and decide on the best course of action.

2. Medical Assessment and Treatment: EMS professionals are trained to perform a wide range of medical interventions in the field, including administering CPR, managing airways, controlling bleeding, and providing medications.

3. Transportation: EMS teams transport patients to hospitals or other medical facilities where they can receive further treatment. They ensure that patients are transferred safely and quickly, often coordinating with hospital staff to prepare for incoming patients. This usually happens by ground transport by ambulance, but in critical incidents, aeromedical (helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft) are utilized for rapid transport to specialized facilities based on the patient’s condition.

4. Interfacility Transfers: In addition to emergency response, EMS also facilitates transfers between medical facilities when patients require specialized care not available at their current location. This also can utilize aeromedical transports in times of need.

5. Community Education: Many EMS organizations also engage in community outreach and education programs, teaching CPR, first aid, and other life-saving skills to the public.

Types of EMS Providers

EMS providers can vary in their level of training and scope of practice. The common types include:

• Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs): EMRs administer life-saving techniques such as CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while waiting for more qualified medical professionals to arrive. EMRs are also responsible for assisting other medical professionals at the scene of the emergency or during transport. EMRs perform basic interventions with minimal equipment.

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT): EMTs have acquired the knowledge and skills to stabilize and safely transport patients for all emergency calls, from routine transports to life-threatening emergencies. They provide crucial treatment onsite and during the ambulance ride to the hospital, including controlling bleeding, stabilizing breaks, and addressing shock. EMTs perform their vital services using the basic equipment typically found in an ambulance.

 

• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT): AEMTs provide the same services as EMTs. However, they can also administer fluids and some medications. They are also trained to use the advanced medical equipment carried in the ambulance and have a greater understanding of the systems that make up the human body.
• Paramedic: Paramedics provide advanced medical care for critical patients. This includes triage with sophisticated medical equipment and administering approximately 30 different types of medications.

• Critical Care Paramedic: A Critical Care Paramedic is a specialized healthcare professional vital in delivering advanced pre-hospital care, especially in critical and complex situations. They are adept in various advanced medical procedures, including administering a wide range of medications, intricate airway management, and operating sophisticated equipment such as mechanical ventilators and intravenous infusion pumps. Skilled in handling severe trauma, cardiac emergencies, respiratory distress, and other life-threatening conditions, they excel in rapid patient assessment, immediate stabilization, and prevention of health deterioration.

Importance of EMS in Community Health

EMS plays a crucial role in improving community health and reducing mortality rates by:

• Rapid Response: Promptly responding to emergencies, which can significantly improve outcomes for patients experiencing critical conditions.

• Skillful Interventions: Providing skilled medical interventions at the scene of emergencies, often stabilizing patients before they reach the hospital.

• Coordination with Hospitals: Collaborating closely with hospital teams to ensure seamless patient care transitions.

How to Support EMS Providers

As essential frontline workers, EMS providers face daily demanding and stressful situations. Here are ways to support them:

• Recognition and Appreciation: Acknowledge their challenging work and express gratitude for their service.

• Advocacy: Support policies that ensure adequate funding, resources, and training for EMS agencies.

• Education: Learn basic first aid and CPR to assist until EMS arrives.

Conclusion

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a cornerstone of public health and safety. They provide critical care during emergencies, and their swift response and expert medical interventions save countless lives every day. Understanding and supporting EMS is essential for building resilient and healthier communities.

Thank you for visiting our page dedicated to Emergency Medical Services. Stay informed, stay safe!

For more information about Cumberland Healthcare Emergency Medical Services, contact the Director of Emergency Medical Services at 715-822-7492.