Quick Response Service (QRS)

 

The Newtown Fire Association is accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a Quick Response Service to supplement local ambulance services with medical emergencies in the fire company's coverage area (Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, and parts of Middletown Township). Volunteer firefighters that are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians and Emergency Vehicle Operators typically provide QRS coverage on weekdays and weekends when the Newtown Emergency Services Department is not on duty.

Currently, Utility 45, Special Service 55, Rescue 45, and Engine 55-1 are certified to respond to medical emergencies, over 20 firefighters are certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and all members are at a minimum certified in CPR, First Aid, and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) use.

The presence of QRS service in Newtown has been extremely beneficial to both the patients we care for and the local emergency ambulance services we supplement since the start of the program. Due to the fire department's central location in Newtown, firefighters responding to medical emergencies often arrive at an emergency before an ambulance arrives, and are able to quickly begin lifesaving measures such as CPR or utilizing an AED for serious medical calls. Even when medical calls are minor in nature, firefighters provide quality patient care, acquire patient information and vital signs for EMS and hospital staff, and assist the ambulance crew with preparing patients for transport.