Elmhurst Fire Department’s Rapid Response Vehicle Wins Award

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst Fire Department’s new ALS Rapid Response Vehicle was recently awarded the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference’s “Best Innovation” award, receiving more votes that any of the other six municipalities vying for the award.

According to the city, the vehicle, a 2017 Ford Explorer, is known as Rescue 1. Elmhurst Fire Department paramedics staff the Rapid Response Vehicle around the clock, enhancing existing ALS service, which is provided with a paramedic transport (Medic 1 and Medic 2). All of the equipment, including a cardiac monitor/defibrillator, ALS medications, and a Zoll AutoPulse, fits in the back of the vehicle. The vehicle is also more maneuverable through city traffic.

“We are on the cutting edge here in Elmhurst, providing paramedics and an advanced support Rapid Response Vehicle,”Fire Chief Thomas Freeman said during its display. “We are very proud to be recognized as innovators for this service to our community.”

The city said the Elmhurst Fire Department is one of the first departments in the county to use this new service model. When a paramedic is in the Rapid Response Vehicle and is cleared from a medical situation and is not needed to go to the hospital, the paramedic will be available to go on another call.

Photos provided by city of Elmhurst.