09/05/2026
HARRISBURG FIRE UNION LOCAL 2254 STATEMENT
The Harrisburg Fire Union would like to address some recent comments made during the September 3rd Harrisburg City Council meeting regarding the BLS transport EMS services provided by the Harrisburg Fire Department and the capabilities of our members.
It was concerning to hear comments from members of the City Council that demonstrated a lack of understanding of the training, certifications, and emergency medical services provided by the Harrisburg Fire Department. And we, as a union, would like to clear some misconceptions to the public that we proudly serve.
Our members are State of Illinois certified firefighters and nationally registered/state-licensed EMTs. Our ambulance is capable of transporting patients in a wide range of medical conditions—from routine medical calls to life-threatening and critical emergencies.
A particularly concerning comment was made suggesting that our EMTs cannot administer medications and cannot handle cardiac calls or other emergent calls. That is simply not accurate.
As BLS providers, our EMTs are trained and authorized, within their scope of practice and applicable medical direction/protocols, to administer medications and treatments including:
• Oxygen for patients requiring supplemental oxygen
• Aspirin for suspected cardiac emergencies
• Nitroglycerin (Nitro) when indicated during a cardiovascular emergency
• Glucagon & Oral Glucose for appropriate hypoglycemic diabetic emergencies
• Duo-neb and Albuterol for respiratory distress
• Epinephrine (Adrenaline) for severe allergic reactions/anaphylaxis involving /respiratory or other life-threatening complications
• Zofran (Ondansetron) for nausea when indicated
• Narcan (Naloxone) for opioid overdose
Our EMTs also provide critical lifesaving interventions such as CPR, defibrillation/AED use, airway management, ventilation, bleeding control, trauma care, patient assessment, stabilization, patient packaging, and emergency transport.
There also appears to be a significant misconception regarding the difference between BLS (Basic Life Support) and ALS (Advanced Life Support).
Harrisburg Fire operates a BLS ambulance service. We are dispatched to both BLS and ALS emergency calls, depending on the availability and response of other ALS ambulance services.
Being a BLS service does not mean our EMTs are incapable of responding to or treating critically ill or injured patients.
There are certain advanced medications and procedures that are outside the BLS scope of practice, including endotracheal intubation, However, our crews are equipped with supraglottic airways, including i-gel devices, which can be rapidly placed when indicated to establish and maintain an effective airway. These devices can be used in conjunction with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and oxygen to provide ventilation during respiratory and cardiac emergencies.
When someone suffers a cardiac arrest or another life-threatening emergency, our members do not simply stand by because we are a BLS service.
We immediately begin the lifesaving care that we are trained, certified, and authorized to provide per our medical protocols.
Our crews can initiate CPR, provide defibrillation, manage the patient's airway, provide ventilatory support, administer appropriate medications within our scope, run 4 & 12 leads, stabilize the patient, and transport them for definitive medical care. When ALS is available, we work alongside ALS providers to provide the patient with the highest level of care available. HFD is automatically dispatched in conjunction with the ALS provider to assist in cardiac arrest. HFD staff frequently rides along with the ALS ambulance to continue assisting with care until the patient arrives at the hospital.
The ambulance staffed by the Harrisburg Firefighters of IAFF Local 2254 has responded to and transported countless patients in this community. Our members have provided lifesaving care to residents, visitors, and families throughout Harrisburg and the surrounding area.
Our firefighters and EMTs are highly trained professionals who take tremendous pride in serving this community.
It is disappointing that the current city leadership appears to have such a limited understanding of the training and capabilities of the very employees they rely upon to respond when someone calls 911.
The Harrisburg Fire Department is staffed and prepared to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
When the community calls, Harrisburg Fire answers.
Harrisburg Fire Union IAFF Local 2254
