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w <br /> k 1 <br /> Orange County <br /> Board of Commissioners <br /> Meeting Date: August 4, 1997 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No —a <br /> Subject: Vehicle Extrication Franchise Application <br /> Department: Emergency Management Public Hearing Yes No XX <br /> Attachment(s): Information Contact: Nick Waters <br /> Applications Extension Number: 3030 <br /> Telephone Number: <br /> Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> Purpose: To consider franchise requests in accordance with the County Franchise Ordinance <br /> from North Chatham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Caldwell, Orange Grove, Eno, Cedar Grove, and <br /> Efland Fire Departments. <br /> Background: As part of the Rescue Service Needs Assessment conducted by County staff, <br /> representatives of the two rescue squads, various fire departments, and the EMS Medical <br /> Director, it was determined that vehicle extrication(the removal of injured parties that may be <br /> trapped inside the wrecked vehicle) should be provided initially by the fire departments with <br /> backup from the two county rescue squads. The fire departments currently respond to all <br /> wrecks which require extrication. Their purpose has been a fire prevention function. During <br /> the needs assessment, it was pointed out that since fire departments are geographically <br /> distributed throughout the County, in most cases their arrival on the scene is much earlier than <br /> either of the two rescue squads. The fire departments now provide patient care through their <br /> first responder program and by allowing them to perform extrication, the patients potentially <br /> could be freed from the wreckage with emergency treatment being provided by the time rescue <br /> and EMS services arrive on the scene. In cases of severely traumatized patients that are <br /> entrapped or pinned in the vehicles, this service should have a positive affect on patient <br /> outcome. <br /> The concept of fire departments providing vehicle extrication has been reviewed, discussed and <br /> is supported by the EMS Advisory Council, and the two volunteer rescue squads. <br /> EMS staff have reviewed the applications for franchises and find that all the franchise <br /> requirements of the ordinance have been satisfied. <br /> Recommendation: The Manager recommends the Board approve the franchises for rescue <br /> service (vehicle extrication) to be provided by North Chatham, Hillsborough, Mebane, Orange <br /> Grove, Caldwell, Eno, Cedar Grove, and Efland Fire Departments. <br />