- November 26, 2024
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For 10 years, the Flagler County Fire Rescue has been working side by side with Florida Hospital Flagler. Since the hospital itself does not have ambulances, it contracts with the county, which staffs a plethora of certified firefighter/paramedics.
“As emergency responders, we are the first step for citizens in need,” said firefighter/paramedic John Raffo, as he sat at the table at the airport fire station waiting for a call.
In 2011, the county’s rescue unit responded to 11,887 calls, of which 10,243 were medical, with October being the busiest month of the year. Responses to the city of Palm Coast account for 48% of the call load for Fire Rescue, last year, followed by unincorporated Flagler County at 35.9%. Bunnell accounted for 8%, Flagler Beach 5.3%, Beverly Beach 0.19% and Marineland 0.13%.
Although patients are not required to visit the hospital — 76% are taken there — the EMS team recommends a hospital trip to ensure the most accurate diagnosis.
“You have to understand what is going on with that patient,” Raffo said. “You have to be able to assess your situation to determine what needs to be done. It’s really important to assess a patient properly.”
Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito said: “Not all calls are emergencies to us, but when a person calls 911, it’s an emergency to them.”
