The Basic Life Support System (BLSS) at Eugene Springfield Fire provides entry-level positions in the fire service and supports more efficient Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to our community. The BLSS started in October 2016 and has been a lower-cost solution to lower acuity, medically necessary ambulance transports. With minimal qualifications, BLS Technicians gain experience within our professional Fire/EMS organization. They are often students pursuing Fire and EMS careers, and our BLSS schedule (12-hour shifts) and processes are designed to accommodate and support them in this development. Since the program began, 84 individuals have graduated from the BLS Academy and 25 BLS Technicians have continued their career with Eugene Springfield Fire as Firefighter/Paramedics. On Monday, December 6, Eugene Springfield Fire welcomed BLS Academy Class #12 to the organization with words of encouragement from senior staff.
“Our BLSS not only provides opportunities for entry-level positions but gives us the right resource for the right patient at the right cost. We don’t believe we need to send an engine and multiple firefighters to every medical call and the BLSS saves money in the long run,” said Scott Cockrum, Interim Fire Chief of Eugene Springfield Fire, about the program.