YFD to have Administrative and On-Line EMS Medical Direction

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) is now partnering with International Medical Direction LLC after working exclusively with Yuma Regional Medical Center (YRMC).

“Hopefully in the very near future we’ll be able to establish and meet the needs of the community from an EMS standpoint and a much more evolved service model,” said Daniel Espino, Emergency Medical Services Interim Battalion Chief.

The new partnership started Monday, and this new medical direction means the fire department will follow the Arizona Department of Health Services Guidelines.

It will also allow the fire department to explore other service models rather than just always taking people to the Emergency Room at YRMC.

“To really raise the bar raise the level of training they have within their departments and allowing them to become state of the art allowing them to provide the highest quality of care that they can for the citizens of Yuma,” said Dr. Charles Finch, Yuma Fire Department Medical Director.

The fire department has already implemented vending machines at each fire station that will provide various forms of medication.

Interim BC Espino explains why they decided to go under this new direction.

“I think that we sought this partnership with IMD because we knew that it was what would be best for the community the people that we serve… we just seeking to do the best that we can for our patients,” said Espino.

YFD will evaluate which service model will best serve the community.

The Yuma Regional Medical Center has released the following statement on YFD's decision:

"YRMC previously provided full-service medical direction to Yuma Fire and continues to serve as the base hospital for our region. We support Yuma Fire in any way we can and hope their new medical direction meets their needs and those of our community."

Yuma Regional Medical Center