Mayor Joseph Maturo and Fire Chief Matthew Marcarelli announced Feb. 2 that the town has secured the state licenses to begin providing lifesaving paramedic service out of Engine Company 4 in Momauguin, joining Rescue 1 from Fire Headquarters and Squad 5 as paramedic units. As a result of the service expansion, the entire town will now have advanced life support (ALS) coverage.

Maturo explained, “Prior to obtaining this new license, someone requiring advanced life support services would have to wait for units out of the center to respond. If the center unit was busy on a call, a resident in Momauguin was left waiting for the Foxon unit to respond. Now, Engine Company 4, which is located right in the heart of Momauguin, will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to individuals needing ALS.”

Maturo added, “It’s universally accepted that the first five minutes of any heart attack are the most critical. By expanding advanced life support services to Engine Company 4, we’ve improved not only the quality of care, but also the speed at which care will be rendered to anyone finding themselves in the unfortunate position of needing life-saving care.”

In 2004, Maturo instituted 24/7-paramedic support, an initiative that began saving lives the day it was implemented. The addition of paramedic service at Engine Company 4 expands on that initiative.

Marcarelli added, “The East Haven Fire Department is excited to be expanding service for the residents and visitors to our community. The primary response district served by Engine 4 is busy and the demand for paramedics has been evident based on the frequency and type of calls we have been responding to in that area. Having an ALS-capable unit in the area will save precious time in the response to and treatment of critically ill patients.”

Marcarelli added, “As part of the service expansion, Paramedic Engine 4 will now have the capability of providing the highest level of pre-hospital care during airway, breathing, and cardiac emergencies, neurological and diabetic emergencies, trauma emergencies, and also the ability to administer life-saving medications intravenously. As part of the town’s response to the opioid crisis, Engine 4 will carry EKG monitors, defibrillator, advanced airway items including suction units, medications, IV fluids, backboard and spinal cervical immobilization equipment, and trauma treatment items.”

In fiscal year 2017, the East Haven Fire Department responded to 5,988 incidents, of which 2,388 were ALS calls. Engine 4 was dispatched to 894 total calls during this time; 316 of these calls for service were classified as ALS on dispatch. In addition to service Momauguin in a primary capacity, Engine 4 will now also respond elsewhere when the town’s two other paramedic units are on other calls.