The Emergency Medical Services Division is managed by Division Chief Steve Duncan

Chief Duncan performs supervisory and administrative duties necessary to command, direct, and coordinate the operations of the EMS Division within the City of Bullhead City, and performs related duties as required.

The EMS Chief oversees all the medical training and certification of our Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians, and is responsible for department compliance with all State and Federal regulations regarding medical services.

The EMS Division is responsible for the medical services training and logistic needs for the fire department. It supports 47 paramedics and 44 EMTs through in-house training. Other functions of the EMS division include quality assurance, liaison with the base hospital, and management of a community CPR program. The EMS division is also responsible for strategic growth to help keep the department at the forefront of emergency medical care.

Training and education are top priorities at the Bullhead City Fire Department 
Training activity is conducted nearly every day of the week

Bullhead City Firefighters are shown above participating in a training drill for mass casualty incidents. 
A mass casualty refresher curriculum is conducted each year in April as the department prepares
for the Laughlin River Run.  This training included reinforcing the new mass casualty identification
cards and having the firefighters walk through the mass casualty trailer.  The trailer is equipped with
backboards, an oxygen tree system for ten patients, bandages of all sizes, blankets, cervical collars,
and head beds.  The trailer also contains logistical supplies such as cones, tarps, flashlights,
and litters for moving patients on a large scale emergency. 

For more information on EMS training and services you may contact Chief Duncan by email: sduncan@bullheadfire.org

The Bullhead City Fire Department is now participating in a Department of Health Services CPR study. 
There is a major change to the way CPR is performed on adult cardiac victims.  This new CPR uses
only chest compressions, no ventilations (or breaths).  What was formerly 30 chest compressions to two breaths
is now 100 chest compressions per minute and no ventilations.  Studies have shown that when chest compressions
are performed immediately at a higher rate on an adult whose heart has stopped, the patient stands a better
chance of survival.  The new CPR is called CCR or Cardio Cerebral Resuscitation.  The American Red Cross and
the American Heart Association both recognize the new CCR but have not yet adopted it.  They are both involved in
watching the DHS CCR study and will consider changes after reviewing the results of the state study.   An important
fact is that CCR is for adult cardiac victims only.  Most children needing CPR are not having a heart attack. 
Children often are having respiratory problems and need ventilations.  For this reason, the person performing
CPR or CCR must check to make sure the heart has stopped before doing anything.