Wayland Fire Department Realizes 'Milestone'

A long-term goal came to fruition Sunday when the conducted its first Advanced Life Support transport provided by full-time firefighter paramedics.

Firefighter paramedics Will Tyree and Odi Batista responded Sunday evening to a medical call in Wayland. A fire department press release said the patient required Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, which Tyree and Batista were on-hand to provide. The patient was treated at the scene and then transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital.

Fire Chief Bob Loomer explained that the state of Massachusetts requires ALS service to be provided by two Emergency Medical Technicians at the Paramedic level of training. Batista and Tyree, who were , brought that level of training to the department.

"It's another milestone for the department," Loomer said, adding that a third paramedic firefighter, Michael Boyes, joined the department on Jan. 9.

Sunday's run represents the culmination of at least three years of work.

"Three years ago, the Town of Wayland Advanced Life Support Committee presented their report to the Board of Selectmen that recognized the need for dependable Advanced Life Support Services for the residents of Wayland," the press release said.

Loomer, who will retire at the end of February, commended chief-designate Vincent Smith, the chair of the ALS committee, for his tireless work to bring ALS services to Wayland. The current chief also expressed his gratefulness to the Wayland Board of Selectmen who recognized the need and supported the process.

As a temporary solution, ALS services in Wayland were provided by a combination of private ambulance services and part-time paramedic teams that were shared with the Town of Sudbury, the press release reads. Recently, however, attrition in the Wayland Fire Department has allowed for the department to replace three retiring firefighter EMTs at the basic level with three firefighters at the paramedic level of training.

“I am so very grateful to see that through everybody’s work – Vinny Smith was really the spearheard – the cooperation we received from the Town … the firefighter’s union," Loomer said, "we've achieved this mileston. It’s really been a true team effort."

Ultimately, the goal is to be able to provide 24-hour ALS service, seven days a week, Loomer said. That requires a total of eight paramedics to be serving with the department -- two for each of four shifts.

"The realistic goal is it will be sometime after July 2013,” Loomer explained, adding that it could happen sooner if attrition in the department allows for new hires. Currently, the department employs three paramedics and has five in training.

“We remain on track with our goal of providing every citizen quality life support 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he said.