FLUSHING -- Flushing Fire EMS celebrated its first anniversary Oct. 9 and then held an open house Oct. 29 to showcase enhancements and equipment upgrades.
For context, Flushing became the first community in Genesee County to launch its own in-house paramedic service, according to previous reporting. Flushing's EMS unit is assigned to exclusively cover the city.
The move to launch the service came after the city authorized the police department to answer critical medical emergencies and provide life-sustaining first aid when ambulances were not readily available. It's reported that officers became overwhelmed with the high call volume and were pulled away from their regular duties.
The city then established a millage-based special assessment to pay for the service in July 2023.
Flushing Fire Chief James Michael said crews have responded to over 1,300 medical emergencies and have saved at least seven lives since the inception of Flushing Fire EMS. Michael said that he and other members at the department had predicted they'd see a call volume ranging between 1,100 to 1,200 calls.
"Our first year has went pretty smoothly, we've had no problems and we're rarely out of service," said Michael. "Things are going in the right direction."
Michael also touched on Flushing Fire EMS' response times, and also explained the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2 medical calls. Tier 1 calls are reserved for critical, life-threatening injuries, and Tier 2 calls are for non-life-threatening injuries. The national average for a Tier 1 call is eight minutes and 59 seconds.
However, it takes Flushing Fire EMS under four minutes to respond to a Tier 1 call and about 4 minutes and 30 seconds to respond to a Tier 2 call.
He added the shortened response time makes a big difference.
"Seconds matter and the quicker we get there the quicker we can administer help," said Michael.
EMT Brad Johnson has been part of Flushing Fire EMS since it began nearly a year ago, and that he recalls being called out to a lift assist and a Tier 1 medical call during his first shift. Johnson is coming up on six years of working as an EMT and got his start with Twin Township Ambulance Company based in New Lothrop.
"It's been fantastic working to help keep people safe in Flushing," said Johnson. "All of the residents have been really receptive and have thanked us for being there for them."
Johnson said he knows there have been some followup calls made to Michaels praising the care he and fellow EMTs have provided too.
"I'd like to think I was part of those crews," said Johnson.
"As a whole, Flushing is an awesome place to have this program because they are very appreciative," said Johnson. "The residents are more than just residents; those are our people."
He adds Chief Michael and Assistant Fire Chief Jim Pieknik are both fantastic to work for.
"They have our backs and we can't ask for much better," said Johnson. "I brag about working here."
He adds since Flushing has a small-town feel, he can see the difference he and his coworkers make, which is especially true after he spots someone he's helped while they're on the mend.
"I could respond to a call on the other side of town and see that person alive and healthy a month later, it's just awesome" said Johnson.
Richard Ballance has also been at Flushing Fire EMS since its inception, adding his shifts can range from zero calls to nine calls.
"We receive a good variety of calls," said Balance. "One minute we're talking to a family with a day-old child, and the next we could be talking to someone that's 100 years old and everyone in between."
He said having a variety of calls is good, it keeps an EMT on their toes.
Ballance said he's been an EMT for over 30 years and it keeps him on his toes. So far he's worked in Wayne, Oakland, Bay and Iosco counties and made it back to Genesee County in 2023.
During the open house, Flushing Fire EMS paramedic Jose Hernandez demonstrated how to use the LUCAS device, the cardiac monitor and the different methods to intubate a patient.
He first explained that chest compressions need to reach about two inches deep in order to help a patient, and that a LUCAS device can continue to deliver those compressions for up to 45 minutes if needed. He adds the device is especially helpful when there are multiple patients at a scene.
Hernandez also spoke about his experience with intubating a patient. He practiced on mannequins and then got to perform live intubations. Those who are training to be EMTs can shadow anesthesiologists and practice live intubations inside a hospital setting.
"Practicing live intubations was nerve-wracking," said Hernandez. "The more I did, the better I got."
Hernandez added the cardiac monitor is one of the most importance pieces of equipment an EMT uses in the field.
"It gets used on 99% of our patients, and there is a lot of stuff you can do with it," said Hernandez. "You can run blood pressure, you can check a person's pulse and their lungs' oxygen saturation level, it can detect if someone is having a heart attack or if they have an abnormal heart rhythm."
He adds that he's been blessed that every department he's worked with has had a LifePak monitor/defibrillator.