In the age of technology, how is the Los Angeles City Fire Department staying relevant? Introducing High Fidelity Mannequins, the latest purchase by the EMS Training Unit to assist in the training our members the latest advancements in pre-hospital care medicine. We currently respond to more than 1,400 calls each day. Approximately 85 percent of our call volume involves a medical component of some type. Utilizing the most current technology, our members have an opportunity to respond to a more realistic scenario and administer the type of care needed in a controlled training environment.
In the past a member recertifying their EMT license had to imagine a scenario rather than actually seeing it displayed right in front of them. With the deployment of technologically advanced patient simulators, these new mannequins are capable of exhibiting real-life emergencies, such as a swollen tongue that you might encounter during an anaphylaxis response, absent breath sounds unilaterally or bilaterally, pupillary changes, and numerous other signs that we look for in order to provide the best care possible.
With the use of large monitors and audio capability, our EMT instructors are able to select a chief complaint from a large menu of options and then program in the vital signs, ECG rhythms, and a multitude of other life-threatening complaints. In the near future each of our four EMS educators will have one of these high-tech machines to deliver on-the-spot training within each bureau of the department.
Along with the adult mannequins, we also have infant, pediatric, and birthing mannequins. All of these training aids will allow our staff to create real-life scenarios that will only serve to hone our assessment and treatment skills. Coming just in front of the latest EMS Update 2018, these mannequins will assist our members in becoming more comfortable with the “provider impression” selection as well as how we apply it.
With the current model for delivering EMT skills and recertification, four hours of training is not nearly sufficient enough to refresh one’s skills and knowledge. Having the ability to provide realistic scenarios and immediate feedback will greatly assist our members as patient care experts. There isn’t anything more rewarding than truly changing a patient’s outcome as a result of our excellence in care.
The vision of the EMS Training Unit is to align with Goal 1 of the department’s strategic plan, which is providing exceptional public safety and emergency medical services to the communities we serve. We can accomplish this as a team by continuing to sharpen our medical assessment and treatment skills while, at the same time, we can fulfill Goal 3 of our strategic plan, which is to capitalize on advanced technology. Every time we come in contact with a patient, we not only have the opportunity but also an obligation to take care of their needs. Having the most up-to-date equipment, along with the willingness to make a difference, is a key to our success.
Times have changed, and we need to stay flexible in how we deliver service to the communities we serve. Those in the field who are actually responding to the 911 calls know how challenging it is to get a good patient history or even a clear picture of a chief complaint from a patient. Just as we say that there are no two heart attacks that present the same, every patient deserves our undivided attention and our commitment to ensure a thorough assessment is done. It is often the most difficult patients who need our greatest attention. Approaching every patient contact with our core values in mind—service, professionalism, integrity, respect, innovation, and trust—provides the pathway to a more favorable outcome despite the situation.
The LAFD needs its members to be mentally and physically prepared at all times. The men and women of this department devote their lives to answering the calls for help 24/7. It is a team effort no matter where you are assigned. Those of us with decades of service under our belts still remember the oath we took. It is our duty to know our jobs and to be confident in our performance. The EMS Training Unit’s purchase of High Fidelity Mannequins will allow another generation of LAFD firefighters to do just that!