During an outing in Forest Park yesterday, we had a spontaneous visit with Fireman Adam of Ladder 28. Tanner and I excitedly explained that they are our FAVORITE firetruck, primarily because we see them in our neighborhood often and their 28 is festively embellished with stars and stripes. As a thank you for being extra neighborly to a woman with a flat tire, Adam offered T a chance to sit in the cab and honk the horn! This is all relevant to food allergies, I swear....
As Tanner was playing with the remote control fire hose, Adam explained that yes, we lived in their district and were routinely deployed for medical calls. He explained that often, firetrucks can get to a call faster than the ambulance which is why they will respond to medical emergencies. So I told him about Tanner's food allergy and he said yes, every fireman is also an EMT and that the truck is equipped with epinephrine and benadryl. I wanted to confirm what I had heard a few years ago, though, that only those with advanced life support training were authorized to administer epinephrine. Adam said that was true. If a patient is conscious and can self-administer the epi-pen, a regular EMT can "assist." But if they are unconscious, the EMT/firefighter can only start and IV or do other things to try to stabilize the person until the advanced life support team gets there. Yet another reason to make sure you and all caregivers are equipped, trained and authorized to give your little one a shot, if necessary.
Resources for families living with food allergies (peanut allergy, nut allergy, egg allergy, wheat allergy, milk allergy, fish allergy, shellfish allergy, and soy allergy)
As Tanner was playing with the remote control fire hose, Adam explained that yes, we lived in their district and were routinely deployed for medical calls. He explained that often, firetrucks can get to a call faster than the ambulance which is why they will respond to medical emergencies. So I told him about Tanner's food allergy and he said yes, every fireman is also an EMT and that the truck is equipped with epinephrine and benadryl. I wanted to confirm what I had heard a few years ago, though, that only those with advanced life support training were authorized to administer epinephrine. Adam said that was true. If a patient is conscious and can self-administer the epi-pen, a regular EMT can "assist." But if they are unconscious, the EMT/firefighter can only start and IV or do other things to try to stabilize the person until the advanced life support team gets there. Yet another reason to make sure you and all caregivers are equipped, trained and authorized to give your little one a shot, if necessary.