Advanced life support ambulance funded

Pea Ridge residents will have an advanced life support ambulance available 24 hours a day seven days a week if all goes according to Fire Chief Jamie Baggett's plan. Thanks to a $43,500 grant from State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, the Pea Ridge Fire Department ambulance service will become advanced life support ambulance service March 1.

"The last BLS (basic life support) ambulance service in Benton County is becoming ALS (advanced life support)," Fire Chief Jamie Baggett said. Baggett, who took the helm of the Fire Department Dec. 1, said he hopes to have the ALS license by the first of March thanks to the generous grant of $43,500 received from State Senator Cecile Bledsoe Monday.

"We've hired 15 medics," Baggett said, referring to the paramedics required by the Arkansas State Health Department to staff an ALS service. He said there are 48 members of the Fire Department including firefighters, first responders, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. "We are fully staffed, but we'll be adding more to cover vacations and sick days."

Baggett said there is incentive for first responders to become EMTs. With an ALS service, first resonders can not be hired to staff the office but are valuable in responding to scenes. He said the department will reimburse first responders for EMT training when they successfully complete the course.

Currently a basic life support ambulance service, Pea Ridge Fire/EMS is not licensed to dispense medications. When an ambulance call warrants an ALS service, Pea Ridge calls for either Bentonville, Rogers or Bella Vista ambulance.

Baggett said he has all the necessary quotes for needed items including a Lucas 2 CPR system, a new Stryker cot, new life pack, defibrillator and heart monitor.

Dustin McDonald will be the new EMS captain, Baggett said.

"He will oversee all the EMS support and training. There will always be a paramedic and EMT on duty 24/7," Baggett said.

"The mayor called and explained the need," Bledsoe said. "Rural Services did their part ... and we were able to get the grant thanks to the great work of the mayor."

"I'm excited about the advantages for the citizens of Pea Ridge," the senator said.

Northeast Benton County Fire/EMS Department will receive $50,000.

"The Fire Department has done a great deal over the years," Mayor Jackie Crabtree said, praising the work of those who have built the department over the past 50 years.