The Chino Valley Fire District provides advanced life support (ALS) care to approximately 173,000 people in the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, and surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.
Seven Paramedic Engine Companies are staffed with a captain, engineer, and a firefighter paramedic. Four paramedic squads are staffed with two firefighter paramedics each. A Paramedic Truck Company also serves the district with a minimum of one paramedic.
PERSONNEL & SKILLS
Additionally, many of the District’s captains and engineers are licensed, paramedics. EMTs and paramedics function under California regulations and San Bernardino County protocols. CVFD paramedics provide state-of-the-art advanced life support, including pre-hospital 12-lead ECGs, standing orders for patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome, and transcutaneous cardiac pacing. The local EMS Agency, or ICEMA, allows undefined scope-of-practice skills to include:
- Pediatric Intubation
- Intraosseous Infusion
- Needle Thoracostomy
- Nasogastric Tube Insertion
- Needle Cricothyrotomy
These skills are maintained through required annual skills workshops, and annual re-certification classes. The fire district provides all required continuing education to EMTs and paramedics to maintain their certification.
A paramedic captain serves as the EMS coordinator and training officer. Medical Director Dr. Kevin Parkes functions in an advisory capacity and provides continuing education, as needed.
Dr. Parkes participates in the county medical advisory committee, which oversees the protocols utilized by paramedics.
WHAT DO THOSE TERMS MEAN?
While we use the official medical term for procedures our paramedics can do, it’s only fair we explain it better…
Pediatric Intubation
Pediatric Intubation
The insertion of an advanced airway device in a child’s airway.
Intraosseous Infusion
Intraosseous Infusion
The process of injecting medications, fluids, or blood products directly into the marrow of a bone.
Needle Cricothyrotomy
Needle Cricothyrotomy
The placement of an advanced airway in the cricothyroid membrane.
Needle Thoracostomy
Needle Thoracostomy
The insertion of a needle into the pleural space to decompress a tension pneumothorax.
Nasogastric Tube Insertion
Nasogastric Tube Insertion
The placement of a tube through the nose into the stomach.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Medical facilities within the district include a base station hospital, Chino Valley Medical Center. Within San Bernardino County, there are two trauma centers. Loma Linda University Medical Center, a Level I Trauma and Pediatric Trauma Center, is within 15 minutes via air ambulance.
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, a Level I Trauma and Burn Center, is within 12 minutes via air ambulance. Ground transport of patients within the district is provided by American Medical Response, a private provider.
