Emergency Medical Services

The start of 2021 began with an increase in COVID patient transports reaching new peaks in January that were eclipsed in December. Our First Responders and their families also fell victim to COVID. In December 17 line personnel were off work due to COVID and nearly half of Orland's 120 Paramedics were on Quarantine and watch lists in December. Demand for medical services increased by approximately 10% in 2021. Our Paramedics met the challenge as they utilized their training, equipment and experience developed in 2020 and years prior. As we look ahead we have hope for some normalcy however different it

Emergency Medical may look than years past. Whatever we are confronted with you can be assured Services Administrator we will continue to prepare and adapt to any situation we are called for. Lieutenant Mark Duke This collection of equipment are what the Paramedics utilize during initial patient contact while determining the severity of the patient illness. Much useful information can be gathered with these tools along with the patients' description of their problem and a medical history. Concurrently with a visual impression and after masking themselves and the patient the Paramedic can obtain respiratory rate, lungs sounds and an oxygen level in the blood by use of the stethoscope and pulse oximeter. The blood pressure and pulse rate can be obtained with the BP Cuff and Pulse Oximeter. Additionally the patients' temperature can be obtained with the touchless thermometer. The items are not high tech but still valuable and necessary to conduct a patient assessment:

Blood Pressure Cuff Stethoscope Pulse Oximeter Patient Mask & Gloves Touchless Thermometer

New Ambulance #5

After some delays in delivery the new ambulance arrived and was delivered to Station #5. The ambulance fleet consists of one ambulance at each of the 6 fire stations and 2 reserve ambulances that fill in if there is preventative maintenance required or a break down. This plan ensures that an ambulance will always be ready and available to respond. Increase in call volume that leads to increased mileage may require modification of the annual purchase plan.

Emergency Medical Services

Simulated Paramedic Programs

Area paramedic program students learn skills to overcome difficult to manage airways. Various techniques are taught and then tested under many different circumstances created through simulation. Simulation provides an opportunity to apply theory and gain experience in skills and procedures without potentially putting patients at risk. Repetition performed correctly is the key to success.

Orland Park Aquatic Center Lifeguard Training

Every summer since 1998 Orland Fire District has partnered with Orland Park Aquatic Center to practice life-saving skills. From 1998 to 2021 the number of lifeguards has grown from under 50 to over 100. Under the watch of Orland Fire Paramedics, Life Guards are instructed and practice various skills including CPR, bleeding control, medical emergencies and patient extrication from the water slides and platforms. Orland is a much safer community because of these type of partnerships developed and maintained over the years.

1998 2021

Emergency Medical Services

Rescue Task Force

In 2021, Orland Fire and Orland Police formed a partnership and developed a plan called RTF (Rescue Task Force). Police provide protection while paramedics treat patients injured by acts of violence. We utilize the RAE (Responsibility, Authority, Expertise) principle because these incidents can be very dynamic and so the group "In Charge" changes as the incident ramps up or down in intensity. Our program represents only one of many ways to accomplish the rescue but the message is to (1) have a plan and (2) build relationships with your counterparts before the emergency happens. The RTF concept and methods have been taught across the state of Illinois. In 2017 the Orland class adopted credentials from the National Association of EMT's and became Tactical Emergency Casualty Care. Since that time 30 classes have been conducted by Orland Fire and Orland Police with 100's of First Responders, EMS professionals and Law Enforcement Officers trained.

Thanks to Illinois American Water for once again awarding the OFPD with a generous grant they presented to OFPD on December 1, 2021. This grant will help support the purchase of non-contact temperature assessment devices and pulse oximeters needed for each ambulance and first responder vehicle for the assessment of patients with COVID like illness. This equipment allows our paramedics to check the most immediate and necessary vital signs to determine severity of illness.

IL American Water Grant Check Presentation

Pictured L to R: IL American Water Operations Supervisor Tom Harrell, OFPD Training Officer Lieutenant Mike Siefert, OFPD EMS Administrator Lieutenant Mark Duke, OFPD Operations Chief Joe Moore, OFPD Deputy Chief Nick Cinquepalmi, and IL American Water Municipal Advocate Natalee Cedillo

More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year

A 2015 report from the American Heart Association suggests the incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is 366,807 annually. CPR, especially if administered immediately after cardiac arrest, can double or triple a person's chance of survival. Of those treated by emergency medical services only, 10.6 percent survived. Bystander CPR Improves Survival

The location of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCA) most often occurs in homes/residences (70%) followed by public settings (18.8%), and nursing homes (11.2%). If performed immediately, CPR can double and triple the chance of survival from an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Help is Needed Immediately Unfortunately, only about 46% of people who experience an OHCA get the immediate help that they need before professional help arrives. The 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics state of the 356,000 OHCA that occurred, 46% received bystander CPR. Workplace Safety

There are about 10,000 cardiac arrests in the workplace each year in the United States, according to a report from the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Did you know: only 50% of people can locate an automated external defibrillator (AED) at work? With 10,000 cardiac arrests annually in the workplace, knowing this small piece of information has the potential to save thousands of lives.

Chain of Survival

What we know for certain is that successful treatment of cardiac arrest and particularly VF is associated with quick delivery of care. The chain of survival with its 5 links of early 9-1-1 access, early CPR, early defibrillation, early advanced care and early post resuscitative care illustrates the most critical elements of addressing sudden cardiac arrest.

Orland Fire District has a 47% save rate for patients found in VF in 2021

Emergency Medical Services

EMS Appreciation Barbecue

Message from EMS Administrator Lieutenant Mark Duke:

"Happy EMS Week!! 3 days of lunch served to you because you spend your entire career serving others. This tradition started over 10 years ago after trying to deliver lunch from our area hospitals before it got cold. Retired Chief Ray Kay had an idea that we should barbecue for our responders, dispatchers and staff in honor of EMS week. Additionally it has been conducted on a week where our area hospital staff could attend and meet all of you. It has become more efficient over the years, has approval from Chief Schofield (plain hamburger) and help from many people in the preparation, delivery and clean up. Special thanks to Joan for her record keeping, shopping list, food preparation, help and direction in all phases of the process.

Thank you to all of you for caring about the work you do and enjoying something given back once a year.”