December 30, 2009 - SFD implements a pilot vehicle program to better serve the EMS needs of the Community

The most significant modification to EMS in more than 25 years

'TODAY, Shreveport Fire Chief Brian A. Crawford introduced a pilot program called Single Paramedic Rapid Intervention Non-Transport (SPRINT) -the most significant modification to EMS in more than 25 years.'

SPRINT is the acronym for Single Paramedic Rapid Intervention Non-Transport which allows trained fire professionals to respond to non-transport emergency scenes. “The Department’s goal is to evaluate the efficient and effective response of staffing and equipment resources, improve the level of community coverage, and explore cost saving measures to support permanent implementation of this new program in 2010,” according to Chief Crawford. “We hope that this program will allow us to keep up with the demands of a growing metropolitan city.”

During the initial stages of the program, the department will compile data to monitor the proficiency and productivity of dispatching a smaller vehicle to respond to non-transport incidents. Previous dispatch protocol required the response of a fire truck as the first responding unit but the new pilot program will dispatch a smaller and faster vehicle as the initial responding unit.

The SPRINT 9 program will operate from Fire Station Number 9, located on St. Vincent Avenue in the Cedar Grove community which has been identified as the busiest fire station in the State of Louisiana by state fire officials. “Strategically speaking, it makes good business sense to operate our first unit from this location because it will provide us with the opportunity to expand our coverage as well as give us sufficient data to determine the program’s success,” according to Deputy Fire Chief Tom Self.

The SPRINT 9 will respond to all EMS incidents with the exception of motor vehicle accidents. It will be supported by 3 fire professionals- one Captain/Paramedic, one Driver/EMT and one Firefighter/EMT in a 2003 Ford Excursion marked as SPRINT 9.

“The implementation of the SPRINT Initiative will provide the Department with a greater and more dynamic level of service to our citizens. It will also provide our firefighters and officers with more tools to perform their mission of saving lives,” said Crawford.