Chief Byrne Applauds New Medication Protocol

Pre-hospital emergency care developments have made considerable improvements in the mortality rates of patients suffering from trauma issues as well as serious medical events such as stroke, neurological disorders and cardiovascular incidents.

Another important aspect of the treatment provided to prehospital emergency patients lies in the medications being administered to patients and in some cases, how quickly they can be administered.

After many months of rigorous discussions with Collier County EMS Director Dr. Robert Tober, the Cities of Marco Island and Naples, Greater Naples Fire/Rescue, North Collier Fire/Rescue and the Immokalee Fire/Rescue Districts have reached an agreement that will allow those five first responder departments to join with the county’s EMS units and carry the same medication allotments and permission to administer them.

Under the old protocols a trained medic from a non-county medic unit would not have been able to administer medication, instead having to wait for the arrival of a county medic unit. Those nationally registered paramedics have the same qualifications and training as those riding in an ambulance, instead riding engine or ladder company for one of the five other first responder departments within the county. They, too, are under the watchful eye of the Collier County Medical Director regarding their training and certifications, the same training and certifications held by those men and women who ride the Collier County Ambulances.

Marco Island Fire/Rescue Department Chief Chris Byrne was extremely pleased regarding Dr. Tober’s decision to allow for the improved medication protocols. “By instituting this change, Dr. Tober eliminates the potential for a delay in a patient receiving essential medication needs,” said Byrne. “We all applaud his foresight in making this happen and putting the patient first.”