Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department announces the launch of upgraded medical response services beginning Monday, July 28. A brief kick-off will take place at MFRD Headquarters (202 E. Vine Street) at 8:30 am.

City and County leaders have supported this endeavor to upgrade from First Responder level to Basic Life Support response and MFRD will be the first fire department in Rutherford County to provide this advanced service.

Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services administered required credentialing training to MFRD personnel.

Each of the department’s licensed EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics were required to complete a general knowledge written test, practical skills evaluation, eight hours of clinical training and evaluation on an ambulance with Field Training Officers, and eight hours of medical in-service training.

New protocols for treatment were developed and advanced assessment equipment was purchased and placed on all fire apparatus.

Although MFRD will be providing a higher level of care, Rutherford County EMS will continue to provide patient transport.

“It is clear that both Rutherford County EMS and MFRD have a common goal of providing the best care for the citizens and visitors to the City of Murfreesboro,” said Assistant Chief-Medical Services Kim Lawson.

MFRD has been providing the First Responder level of service since 2002 and began the upgrading process in October 2013. “Our agencies worked seamlessly through this rigorous training process and finished ahead of the targeted completion date of September 2014,” Lawson continued.