Dublin Fire Brigade - Emergency Ambulance Service

Emergency Ambulance Service

In addition to fire and rescue services, the brigade also operates an emergency ambulance service alongside the HSE National Ambulance Service. Until 2007, all DFB crew were trained to a minimum of PHECC Emergency Medical Technician standard, however in light of changing requirements set down by both PHECC and the HSE, all frontline ambulance personnel are now trained to a minimum of PHECC Paramedic standard. All DFB firefighter-paramedics are required to rotate between fire and ambulance duties. In certain circumstances, a crewed fire appliance may also be despatched to ambulance calls alongside the emergency ambulance (primarily cardiac arrest calls) where additional manpower and support is required. The Brigade also has a small but growing number of Advanced Paramedics, increasing the availability of pre-hospital advanced life support to critically ill patients.

In 2007, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in conjunction with Valentia Technologies, the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) launched a unique training initiative with the Emergency Medical Services Dubai Training Institute. With Dubai EMS using PHECC standards and the DFB training their crews up to those standards.