Why Your Fire Department Should Be ACLS and PALS Certified?

Why Your Fire Department Should BE ACLS and PALS Certified?

​With the increase in for-profit paramedics in cities and counties across the United States, local fire departments are experiencing increased competition within Emergency Medical Services (EMS). However, if you are employed at the fire department there are various things you can do to outweigh the competition as an EMS or Paramedic in your area. Among these things are earning certifications in American Heart Association (AHA) ACLS and PALS. Learn more about these certifications and why your fire department needs them in the information below, and enroll in our empowering and knowledge filled classes here at Help-A-Heart CPR to get certified today!

As various cities and counties are easing their restrictions on which organizations can provide EMS, new healthcare provider organizations have begun to compete with existing fire departments and healthcare provider services in areas all across America. New for-profit paramedic services are expanding on what was once only for fire department EMS services.

What certifications SHOULD YOU ENROLL YOUR PARAMEDICS & EMT'S IN?

To exemplify the skills and experience of your EMS professionals, you should consider having your fire department’s EMS personnel become certified in both ACLS and PALS. The EMS personnel will most likely be knowledgeable of the topics covered in the ACLS and PALS classes from their real-world life-saving experience. Subsequently, it might be less of a learning all new subject matter through ACLS and PALS programs as opposed to just aligning with the best practices that the AHA is constantly updating through research in the field of cardiovascular care and emergency services. Through participation in this training, not only will your paramedics and EMTs have the most up to date training available, but they will be able to work more effectively as a team during cardiac arrest situations.

So, what exactly are ACLS and PALS certifications, and what do they mean? ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) is a certification provided by the AHA that expands on the foundation and curriculum which that BLS (Basic Life Support) courses provide. ACLS training incorporates team dynamics in cardiac arrest situations to help improve the outcome in medical crisis emergencies. This ACLS curriculum includes proper CPR protocol, choking aid, AED use, and more. During the ACLS class firefighters will continue to build on their skills and learn how to be both a team leader and a team member in a resuscitation effort. These skills will help your EMTs better assist their paramedics and make the code run more smoothly. The ACLS course also covers ECG recognition, ACLS pharmacology, and advanced airway management. PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) provides in-depth training similar to that covered in ACLS, but instead focuses on providing life support to infants and children. The PALS curriculum also focuses on the most common life-threatening pediatric medical crisis including cardiac and respiratory emergencies. A strong knowledge of these pediatric emergencies is key for all healthcare providers, and the various treatment methods are covered in the PALS class. Fortunately, healthcare provider teams that become ACLS and PALS certified as a group are often able to communicate more effectively and work cohesively in an emergency situation.

Through encouraging your fire department to become ACLS and PALS certified, these certifications will build confidence in your team to maneuver the various medical emergencies encountered by EMS providers. The presence of ACLS and PALS certifications will also showcase the commitment to excellence as displayed by your department.

Get your Team ACLS & PALS CERTIFIED WITH US HERE AT HELP-A-HEART CPR.

Are your seeking an effective and affordable way to earn your ACLS and PALS certifications? Fully endorsed by the American Heart Association and led by highly-experienced instructors with backgrounds in education, and medical care, we’ve earned our place as a premier provider of emergency response certifications. Help-A-Heart CPR has provided training to hospitals, schools, and organizations further further promoting large scale training for thousands of providers each year. For maximum convenience, we also offer onsite training options where we bring our certification courses to you. Check out our reviews to see what other individuals and professional organizations have said about our certification courses, and enroll your fire department with us today!