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NANTICOKE — Upon entering the Nanticoke Fire Department, the care and concern firefighters share for each other and for area residents is evident.

Firefighters are quick to share a laugh, defer to each other in conversation or share professional information.

In that spirit, the department has recently achieved Quick Response Service certification as an opportunity to better serve area residents through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The QRS certification allows the department to assist seriously ill and injured patients while waiting for ambulances to arrive.

Nanticoke Fire Chief Kevin Hazleton couldn’t be any prouder of his department’s efforts to better serve the public.

Hazleton gives a lot of the credit for obtaining the certification to Justin Gildea, a firefighter and paramedic who oversaw the process which he said took “every bit of six or eight months.”

“Before we could become certified, we had to comply with requirements regarding supplies, training and staffing,” said Gildea. “And we were then inspected by the state.”

When asked for an example, Hazleton said if someone went into cardiac arrest, firefighters could legally use a automated external defibrillator (AED) and some limited medications.

“Early intervention is so important,” he said. “It’s true that seconds and even minutes count.”

In addition to cardiac emergencies, Hazleton anticipates using the certification during such medical emergencies as seizures and traumatic injuries.

Retired chief Mike Bohan, now a volunteer, said seeing the company continuing to move forward, providing service and safety to members of the community is a wonderful thing.

All 10 of the department’s career firefighters are certified emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, necessary for obtaining QRS status. Several volunteer firefighters are also trained as EMTs.

“People can be sure that, in an emergency, there will be at least one person immediately available to medically assist them,” said Gildea.

The department is assigned a medical director who is able to oversee required trip reports by phone or online.

Hazleton is very proud of his department’s achievement.

“We’re one of about six departments in Luzerne County to obtain this status,” said Hazleton. “It’s something that we worked hard to obtain because of our commitment to this community.”

Fire chief Kevin Hazleton and firefighter Justin Gildea talk about their recent Quick Response Service certification, allowing the Nanticoke Fire Department to increase emergency services provided to residents.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_TTL101915Nanticoke.Fire_.jpg.optimal.jpgFire chief Kevin Hazleton and firefighter Justin Gildea talk about their recent Quick Response Service certification, allowing the Nanticoke Fire Department to increase emergency services provided to residents.

By Geri Gibbons

[email protected]

Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons