Fallon Ambulance Leads Effort to Solidify Protocol for Public Treatment in the Event of Chemical Terrorism

As the largest ambulance service in the area, Fallon Ambulance is contracted to provide emergency service to an 80 square mile radius of communities abutting Boston. Within these areas, populations amount to as many as 300,000 people at any given time. In addition to their contracted area, Fallon has agreed to augment other communities, including the city of Boston, in mutual aid to their response systems.

With their focus on emergency response, Fallon has initiated a project to define the protocol that would maximize the health and safety of patients served in the health system in the event of nerve agent exposure. A nerve agent protocol would also focus on minimizing any disruption of the EMS response. The first of its kind in Massachusetts, Fallon intends this project to serve as a model for future statewide deployment. A similar program has already been implemented in New York state.

An application for a special projects waiver has been submitted to the state to begin the process. Quincy Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have been named as hospital associations in the project. The waiver specifies an estimated 150 paramedics and as many as 300 EMTs, as well as the patients they serve, that would be involved in the project’s scope. The specific details include indications and treatment protocol in the event of nerve agent exposure.

“In light of public awareness concerning terrorist threats, we are focused in providing peace of mind to the communities we serve,” stated Sean Stentiford, Fallon’s Director of Clinical Services, continuing “We are proud to take a leadership role in our industry in working to develop this landmark protocol. Together with Massachusetts state health agencies, we are committed to maintain a state of preparedness that will exceed expectations.”

Coordinating training in related education will also fall under Fallon’s responsibilities. The effort is intended to aid ambulance crews in maintaining their health in the event of an attack, to ensure their capabilities to serve the public. Instruction will include subjects like ”Signs and Symptoms of Nerve Agent Poisoning”, and “Maintenance and Administration of Mark-1 Kits®”. Mark-1 Kits® are the industry standard package containing the antidote injections for nerve agents, to be used in the case of emergencies. Training would also include 14 hours of physician rounds each calendar year.

Fallon Ambulance Service provides a number of community programs to benefit residents of the municipalities where they provide 9-1-1 coverage. The company participates in a number of outreach programs, including partnerships with schools; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for police and fire departments; ambulance tours, instruction in emergency medical care such as the use of defibrillators; and participation in health fairs.

Fallon Ambulance Service was founded in 1936 by James R. Fallon, Sr., and has remained a family operated business to this day. The founder’s son, James R. (Ray) Fallon, Jr., and five of his children have all played an integral role in the company’s operation and growth. Fallon Ambulance employs more than 400 personnel, and operates 115 vehicles. The company provides 9-1-1 service to Milton, Quincy, Brookline, Weymouth, Braintree and Dedham as well as primary backup to Boston and Randolph. Fallon Ambulance Service also provides medical transportation for a number of nursing homes, hospitals, and HMOs throughout Greater Boston. Headquarters are at 111 Brook Road, Quincy, MA 02169, and Fallon Ambulance operates satellite offices in Weymouth, Allston and Quincy, MA. A new state-of-the-art headquarters is slated for opening in Quincy in the Fall, 2004. Fallon Ambulance Service is a several-time recipient of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s “Success Profile,” and the “local heroes” award by the South Shore Community Action Council. For additional information about Fallon Ambulance services or programs that the company offers, contact Peter Racicot, Senior Vice President of Business Development, at (617) 745-2100, ext. 117 or visit www.fallonambulance.com.