New Bend fire unit reducing response times

Every second counts when it comes to saving a life.

The Bend Fire Department knows that first-hand, as it it is often the first responder to emergency calls in the city.

Earlier this year, the department launched the Basic Life Support unit to respond to low-priority calls, which account for about 30 percent of emergency calls.

“By utilizing BLS employees, we’re able to keep our advance life support units available for more severe calls,” EMS Division Capt. Drew Norris said Wednesday.

Norris said the BLS unit helps reduce response times and increases the ability to get the right resources to the patient.

Voters passed a fire levy in 2014 which helped fund hiring 14 ambulance operators for BLS.

Norris said that number will expand, as the department plans to hire 10 more ambulance operators in early January.

“This allows them to initiate care, triage and transport with the appropriate unit,” Norris said.

BLS was modeled after a similar program in Southern California, and it’s the first to be implemented in Oregon.

Norris says the unit will save the fire department money in the long run.