Santee Fire and the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority have added a new Basic Life Support ambulance to the city’s emergency response fleet, with the new unit entering service April 1.
The ambulance, known as BLS 5, started its first shift when EMT Chris Brooks placed the vehicle into active service for the region, according to East County Magazine. Officials said the unit is intended to support a tiered response system by handling non-life-threatening calls so advanced life support units can stay available for the most serious emergencies.
Basic Life Support ambulances are staffed by two emergency medical technicians and focus on stabilizing patients and transport, while advanced life support units include at least one firefighter/paramedic who can provide more invasive, life-saving interventions, the report said.
Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Moyneur said the new ambulance is an investment in public safety and emergency medical services. Battalion Chief David Leask said the additional unit, paired with recently trained EMTs, will strengthen the department’s ability to respond when residents need help.
Santee Fire operates out of two primary stations — Station 4 at Cottonwood Avenue and Station 5 at Carlton Hills Boulevard — and serves about 60,000 residents, the report said.
Source: East County Magazine (East County News Service) — https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/new-basic-life-support-ambulance-road-santee