Sentinel photo by RAINIE MINER
Pictured are, from left: Brian Young, Mount Union deputy EMS chief; Michael Coldren, deputy chief of FAME EMS Lewistown; Matthew Hauck, Mount Union EMS chief; Ben Everhart, Mount Union EMS engineer.

MOUNT UNION — A firefighter rehab unit that would help emergency responders recover after battling blazes has been added to Mount Union EMS on Market Street.

The announcement was made with local media present Tuesday morning.

The unit — Rehab 700 — consists of a trailer filled with numerous treatments to aid firefighters in recovery while they are still on scene. The rehab unit was officially registered in the 911 system last week, officials said.

Rehab 700 will aid firefighters in the recovery of prolonged fires along with police incidents and standoffs, outdoor events and whatever else the unit may be needed for.

“Being that we are medical personnel, we have the opportunity to check blood pressures, heart rates and oxygen saturation, which is extremely important for those fighting interior and exterior fires,” said Amy Wise, Mount Union EMS public information officer.

Some items the trailer houses include lights, a misting fan, coolers filled with bottled water, snacks, towels, and a blow up tent that measures 18×22 feet, which is able to be heated to keep firefighters warm in the winter months.

The rehab unit will be available to all of Mount Union EMS’ first due fire companies. Other area companies are able to request the rehab unit as needed, especially for larger, more serious calls. Mount Union EMS will also offer demonstrations to other local fire departments, encouraging others to begin their own rehab units.

When entering the rehab unit, firefighters are given a tag to keep track of the medical care they receive during the rehabilitation process. The firefighters’ vital signs are taken, they are given a drink to replenish their electrolytes and a snack to bring their sodium and sugar levels up. They are also monitored for their mental health, officials said.

“The state has a protocol for firefighter rehab,” said Brian Young, Mount Union deputy EMS chief. “If they’re outside of the parameters of normal then they are supposed to stay seated.” These guidelines are created by the state to ensure firefighters are kept safe.

Mount Union EMS decided to begin planning and creating their rehab unit after EMS Chief Matthew Hauck paid a visit to FAME EMS of Lewistown, noticing and taking interest in their rehab unit. After getting more information, Hauck and other Mount Union EMS officers were eager to create their own version of this unit.

“We modeled some of what FAME had in order to get something started for us,” said Hauck.

FAME EMS played a major role in the creation of Rehab 700.

FAME visited Mount Union EMS in March to give them a demonstration along with more information on the importance of having a rehab unit. “We knew what rehab was, but I don’t know if we fully understood the importance of it,” said Wise. FAME also donated equipment to Mount Union EMS after updating their own gear. “The donations have been invaluable to us. We are just getting started with this,” Wise shared. “Without resources like FAME, we wouldn’t be successful in the way that we are.”

This new rehab unit will give Mount Union EMS the ability to better assist and care for local firefighters, keeping them protected in the line of duty. “The most important thing is that every fireman gets home safely,” said Wise.

For more information about the rehab trailer, call the Mount Union Volunteer Fire Company at (814) 542-9888.

Ben Everhart – Mount Union EMS Engineer

Amy Wise- Mount Union EMS Public Information Officer

Matthew Hauck – Mount Union EMS Chief

Brian Young – Mount Union Deputy EMS Chief

Michael Coldren – Deputy Chief of Lewistown FAME EMS