Richmond Fire Department paramedicine program, chief receive statewide awards

RICHMOND, Ind. — Richmond Fire Department this year started a community paramedicine program that's already receiving statewide acclaim.

The Indiana Fire Chiefs Association honored the program last month with its Specialty Care Award during the Indiana Emergency Response Conference. In addition, RFD Chief Jerry Purcell was selected Career Fire Chief of the Year for a second time.

RFD received a $1 million, two-year state grant for the paramedicine program. The grant pays for a social worker and a community paramedic. Kalie Anderson has begun work as the social worker.

"She's doing an amazing job," Purcell said.

The program's limited scope now focuses on drug addiction, mental health issues and falls in the home.

"The goal is that in the future we limit the number of people using the emergency room as a doctor," Purcell said.

Anderson works with existing service providers to refer and monitor clients. The fire department during its daily fire and EMS activities encounters individuals who need the help. So, too, do local police officers and Reid Health personnel. They can alert Anderson to people who would benefit from her work.

Purcell said RFD is not looking to replace programming, it just has access to people needing help, while the providers have the resources.

RFD has yet to hire the community paramedic to perform integrated healthcare services. That paramedic would go to clients' homes to help with blood draws, shots and medications.

Transportation often poses a challenge that prevents people from attending, or making in the first place, healthcare appointments. Providing care in clients' homes is more convenient and comfortable for them, Purcell said.

When Purcell learned he was nominated for the chiefs award, he never expected to win. He was selected the state's top career chief in 2016, so while it was nice to be nominated, he figured it was someone else's chance this year.

"I didn't think lightning would strike twice," Purcell said. "When they read off my name, I was quite shocked and humbled. It's just exciting to get an award like that and get recognized."

Purcell said Fishers Fire Chief Steven Orusa, a chief he admires, was the first to congratulate him. Orusa was one of two President Award winners.

"I know my peers, and there are a lot of amazing fire chiefs," Purcell said. "It's humbling to be singled out for an award when there are that many whom I admire. It's a great group of men dedicated to this service."

Purcell joined RFD in 1984. He served 14 years as a battalion chief and four years as assistant chief before Mayor Sally Hutton appointed him chief in March 2014. Mayor Dave Snow then also selected Purcell as his chief.

When Purcell became chief, budget cuts had pushed the department behind in training and certifications. Purcell has helped build RFD's EMS service and the department's firefighting and EMS classes through the Richmond Area Career Center at Richmond High School. He also has expanded the department's training center, including construction of a classroom and physical fitness building.

Ongoing projects include replacing the department's front-line equipment and renovating firehouses, or building new stations. Renovations are needed because EMS crews expand the number of members assigned to each station and RFD employs more women.

The improvements fit Purcell idea that RFD serves today and builds for tomorrow.

Ian assistance

Purcell spoke Thursday about RFD after dropping off his son, RFD firefighter John Purcell, to deploy with Ohio Task Force 1.

John Purcell was among 35 task force members activated to assist with Hurricane Ian's aftermath. The task force is a component of FEMA's urban search and rescue capabilities that's based in Dayton, Ohio. Purcell's final destination had yet to be determined Friday.

Forty-seven task force members had departed Sept. 24 to stage in Alabama. Those members participated in training Monday and Tuesday, then moved Wednesday to Florida.

Ohio Task Force 1 updates its activities on its Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Fire department paramedicine program, chief receive statewide awards