Fire Protection Districts Partner with New Hospital President

Rick Stevens Meets with North St. Louis County Fire and EMS Personnel

Rick Stevens met with area fire protection district representatives July 7 as he continues to share his vision and commitment to Christian Hospital and the North County community. 

“As one of the busiest emergency medical services providers in the state, coming together regularly with our fire districts is key to our successful partnership as first responders,” says Stevens. “I want to build on these important relationships, as well as continue to strengthen our role as a leader in providing quality emergency care at the scene with our EMS ambulance service and in our emergency rooms at Christian Hospital and Northwest HealthCare. We work very closely with area fire districts, as well as police departments, to keep our North County community well.” 

Christian Hospital EMS (Emergency Medical Services), which was named the nation’s top EMS provider in 2014 by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, is the primary 9-1-1 first responder for the fire protection districts of Ferguson, Spanish Lake, Jennings, Black Jack, Metro North, Riverview, Mid-County, Berkeley and Kinloch. Team members also serve as backup responders for the Florissant and Hazelwood fire districts, as well as the St. Charles County area across the Missouri River between north St. Louis County and Illinois.

With that much territory to cover, Christian Hospital EMS has eight of its 20 advanced life support ambulances strategically positioned throughout the area to handle 9-1-1 calls. Six Christian Hospital EMS ambulances are dedicated to transport services for hospital patients, and the remaining six are backup vehicles when others are out of service for maintenance and repairs. Christian Hospital EMS has a dedicated team of 121 staff members who respond to about 40,000 calls a year for 9-1-1 and transport services.

After recognizing a demand for emergency medical services (EMS) courses, Christian Hospital developed its EMS Academy for those interested in starting or furthering their education in the field. Since opening in 2013, over 70 courses have been offered to students at the academy. Christian Hospital EMS Academy is an elite EMT and paramedic training program. This specialized program provides a challenging yet rewarding curriculum for students looking to advance in the emergency medical services field. The program is focused on equipping students with the knowledge and resources needed to be successful on the job.

Pictured in the Christian Hospital EMS Academy, from left: Ken Corbin, chief, Black Jack; Sean Mahoney, chief, Mid-County; Rich Swain, chief, Spanish Lake; Keith Goldstein, chief, Riverview; Roger Ellis, asst. chief, Black Jack; Rick Stevens; Brian Hokcamp, chief, Christian Hospital EMS; and Hawnwan Moy, MD, Washington University School of Medicine instructor 

Also at the meeting was Brian Froelke, MD, Christian Hospital EMS medical director and Washington University physician.