It’s not often that Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue crews are dispatched to a call involving an unconscious baby or child who lacks a pulse and is not breathing.
Between Jan. 1, 2015, and Aug. 2 of this year, TVF&R firefighters responded to only 15 pediatric sudden cardiac arrest calls.
No matter how infrequent these critical calls come in, TVF&R crews move with purpose every time. Ongoing training for these high-risk, low-frequency calls ensures everyone knows their assigned roles as they rush to the young patient’s side.
A paramedic or company officer is designated as the person in charge, a paramedic will administer medications, and an emergency medical technician will immediately begin chest compressions while another firefighter EMT is responsible for airway management and helping the patient to breathe.
As additional crews arrive at the scene within minutes to provide assistance, they seamlessly blend into the team, supporting one another as they provide advanced medical treatment to bring the patient back to life.