Many times, residents wonder why a fire engine pulls up--in addition to an ambulance--to an emergency that is for someone who is sick or injured, and not involved in a fire or rescue situation. The answer is that TSFR is certified by the PA Department of Health as a Quick Response Service (QRS) in order to provide a higher level of emergency care to its citizens.

As a QRS, TSFR career staff and several volunteers are state certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Accordingly, a TSFR unit is automatically dispatched on many types of calls for extreme medical emergencies and trauma cases where additional trained hands will be useful in rendering efficient care. This might include cardiac or respiratory arrest, heart attacks and severe injuries. In addition, TSFR is sent when local emergency medical care services are so busy that a resulting delay in arrival may cause a delay in delivery of care. In this case, a prompt arrival of a fire vehicle with a trained crew can initiate care until an ambulance becomes available.

So, don't be surprised to see both a fire unit and a medical unit operating at the scene of a medical emergency in Spring Township!