EMS - Gila River Health Care

Emergency Medical Services

EMS’s role is part of both public safety and healthcare in the Community while focusing on patient care. Gila River Emergency Medical Services (GREMS) is dedicated to providing quality pre-hospital care to the Gila River Indian Community while maintaining the highest standard of care possible. GREMS is the oldest public safety organization in the Community and is a department of Gila River Health Care. In fact, in 2014 we celebrated our 40th year. We come from very humble beginnings, growing from one BLS ambulance to seven 24-hour Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, two 12-hour ALS ambulances, two ALS Battalion Chief units, one Rehab unit, one Alternative Response Vehicle (ARV), and multiple Chief level units available to the Community every day. We run approximately 11,500 calls for service a year ranging from EMS and interfacility transports to fire, police, and Community standby’s. While we work very closely with our public safety partners (Fire, Police, Corrections, Dispatch, Emergency Management), we are by government MOU charged as the lead provider of Emergency Medical Services for the Community. We take this responsibility and duty very seriously, only hiring quality employees who are willing to serve the “Gila River Way” and provide the best patient care possible. Our EMTs and Paramedics are simply the best!

Operations

Under the direction and command of the Deputy Chief, the Operations Division is responsible for the delivery of pre-hospital care to those who live, work in, and visit the Gila River Indian Community. Service is provided to seven districts, dispersed over almost 600 square miles. Responses for service come out of stations in Districts 1, 3, 5, 6 and the Wild Horse Pass area. Personnel within those response districts are allocated using a three shift system. Each shift operates under the supervision of two Battalion Chiefs (one east and one west) who are charged with supervising/managing the day-to-day operations of up to seven 24 hour ambulances, two 12 hour inter-facility ambulances and any scheduled standbys. Ambulances are staffed by Advanced Life Support (ALS) teams consisting of an EMT and Paramedic 24 hours a day 365 days a year. 911 ambulance personnel work 24 hour shifts on a rotating schedule.

Special Operations

The Special Operations Division is under the direction and command of the Operations and Special Operations Division Chief. The Special Operations Division consists of the following groups and teams:

Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS)

Tactical Emergency Medical Support or TEMS is a comprehensive approach to emergency care and operational medical support in the tactical environment. It is focused on the broad range of knowledge and skills required for crisis management medical response including: care under fire; Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD); medical counter-terrorism; counter-narcotics; protective operations; hostage rescue; explosive ordnance disposal; maritime operations; civil disorder; and major national security events. TEMS operators come from varied backgrounds and play varied roles within the tactical environment. They promote the greatest opportunity for successful intervention by initiating care within the first few minutes after being wounded because they are on the front line.

TEMS training is varied and comprehensive. TEMS responders are integrated into law enforcement response teams and undergo much of the same training to be prepared to be inserted with their law enforcement counterparts. Several of our EMS members have come together to form our Medical Response Team, which is designed to work closely with the Gila River Police Department, the Gila River Department of Rehabilitation Services, and the US Marshals specialized teams. They are subject matter experts on active assailant (“active shooter”) incident response and are very active in training teams to respond to these types of incidents. They are the community’s “silent guardians” because their highly specialized skills only become apparent in the event of a real incident.

Hazmat Operations / Tox Medics

The Hazmat Operations/Tox Response Team consists of 8 paramedics trained as Tox Medics in Advanced Hazmat Life Support. These Tox Medics have an expanded drug box and scope of practice and are specially trained to support the Gila River Fire Department on Hazmat operations and to treat those who have been injured or exposed during these types of incidents. Hazmat responses are handled by Medic 429 from Station 429 (GRFD Hazmat).

EMS Rehabilitaton and Medical Monitoring

Rehab 423 is a resource available to the community on an as needed basis. It can be pre-scheduled for such events as fire and police physical agility exams, public safety drills and training and other events. It can also be requested by Incident Command to rehab crews during an incident. It carries shade, sector tarps, seating, tables, fans, towels and other equipment to help replenish calories and fluids, actively cool personnel and provide an area of rest. All GREMS crews have been trained in NFPA 1584.

EMS Event and All-Hazard Planning

GRIC is a rural desert with a number of improved residential sites, 3 industrial developments, 3 casinos, wild land/urban interface areas and numerous archeological sites of cultural and spiritual significance. There are over 70 miles of State and Interstate Highways, 3 industrial parks, farming operations, major power transmission lines, major liquid and natural gas transmission lines, an upscale outlet mall, 12 schools, 2 large hotels and a 4 star Resort. Significant terrorist and natural hazard risks are associated with GRIC’s topography and proximity to Phoenix and the Border. The emergency response team assists the community in planning and event management at numerous events each year.

Honor Guard

The Gila River Emergency Medicine Service is proud to announce its Honor Guard. The purpose of the Honor Guard is to represent Gila River EMS in an effort to show our respect, gratitude, pride, and integrity and to portray an image of discipline and professionalism. We also want to raise public awareness of EMS as a public safety department dedicated to the interests of the community. Under the Command of Division Chief Tamara Nacho the Honor Guard was established in 2014 and currently has 7 members. They are the first and only known Tribal EMS Honor Guard.

The Honor Guard is often called upon for ceremonial services. All members consider it a great honor and privilege to show respect for their fallen brothers or sisters in public safety who have paid the ultimate price.

Standby Requests

As the primary provider of pre-hospital medical services in the community we provide all of the medical standbys within its boundaries. We provide donated standbys for most community member requests and a competitive fee schedule for Gila River Enterprises and outside organizations. Should you need a medical standby for an event you are organizing please contact Chief Knight at 520-796-4585 or simply fill out the pdf form by clicking here and submit by fax or email.

We provide approximately 130 standbys per year for the following types of events:

Competitive Runs/Courses
Motorsports
Large Scale Gatherings
Inaugurations
Fire Service Training
Local / Federal Law Enforcement Training/Missions

Rodeos
Funerals
District Picnics/Gatherings
Fun Runs
Bike Races

Festivals
Parades
Grand Openings
Sports Tournaments
Fairs

ALS Ambulance

Fee: $165 per hour (3 hour minimum)

Ambulance crews consist of one Paramedic (ALS) and one Emergency Medical Technician (BLS). The ambulance is stocked with Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) medications and equipment. The ambulance is prepared to take care of all medical and traumatic adult and pediatric emergencies. This option has patient emergency transportation capabilities.

Alternative Response Vehicle

Fee:

ALS – $125 per hour (3 hour minimum)

BLS -$115 per hour (3 hour minimum

The all-terrain off road vehicle is used to extract injured or sick patients from areas inaccessible to standard ambulances. This specialty vehicle transports the patient to a first-aid station or awaiting ambulance. It is staffed with one Paramedic and one EMT (ALS) or two EMT’s (BLS). This option has limited patient transportation capabilities.

ALS / BLS Responder

Fee:

ALS Crew $140 per hour (3 hour minimum)

ALS Single $75 per hour (3 hour minimum)

BLS Single $65 per hour (3 hour minimum)

This resource is comprised of a crew of one State certified Emergency Medical Technician (BLS) and Paramedic (ALS) or one of either who has the qualifications and equipment to provide basic life support or advanced life support depending on the option. This option does not have patient transportation capabilities.