Emergency Medical Services

    The Ashland Fire Department provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) Emergency Medical Services to to the citizens of Ashland.  Currently the Fire Department yields two ALS equipped Type-I ambulances.  One unit is staffed full-time on Main Street, the other unit is used as a back up or for second medical calls.  The Fire Department is certified to provide emergency care through the  Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) and the Metro Boston EMS Council (MBEMSC, Region IV).  

    Prior to 1991, the Fire Department was operating at the basic life support level.  Firefighters were certified to the emergency medical technician basic level (EMT or EMT-B).  During 1989-1990, several members of the Department received training to certify themselves to the level of EMT Intermediate (EMT-I).  This advanced life support training allows personnel to administer intravenous fluids and intubate patients who have compromised airways.  Also in that year the Department received defibrillators to equip both ambulances.         

    The Department was granted its certification  in 1991 to provide the EMT-I level of service to the Town.  The Department has continued to excel in maintaining this level of service.  Since that time the Department has received new defibrillators, upgraded equipment and sent more personnel through the EMT-I certification program.  Starting in the Fall of 1999, several members of the Department have completed the EMT Paramedic (EMT-P) certification course.  This allows the Ashland Fire Department to provide the highest level of quality pre-hospital care available outside of a emergency room setting.

    Today the Department provides Advance Life Support care to the citizens of Ashland 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Each Shift maintains an ALS staffing of at least two Paramedics per shift that respond from the Towns Main Street Fire Station.