ATTLEBORO – The Attleboro Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Division is built on a single, unshakable principle: our residents deserve the highest standard of care every time, without exception.
In 2024, Attleboro EMS responded to over 7,500 emergency medical calls, a 15% increase from the previous year and a staggering 76% increase over the past decade. In 2014, there were just 4,297 EMS runs. Despite this dramatic rise in call volume, the Attleboro Fire Department has managed to meet the growing demand with virtually the same level of staffing.
Operating under a progressive Advanced Life Support (ALS) model, Attleboro EMS is designed to deliver high quality care to patients as quickly as possible. The city’s three frontline rescue ambulances provide full ALS transport capabilities. Additionally, paramedics are strategically assigned to every fire engine and ladder company, ensuring that advanced assessment and life-saving care begin immediately, even before an ambulance arrives.
While the transport units carry the full range of ALS equipment, the placement of paramedics on all frontline fire apparatus allows for rapid on-scene decision-making, critical intervention, and a seamless handoff once the ambulance crew arrives. This system drastically reduces the time between the onset of a medical crisis and meaningful treatment.
Modern EMS: Care Begins at the Curbside
Gone are the days when EMS simply meant “put the patient in the ambulance and drive.” Today, emergency medical services deliver hospital level care where it’s needed most: at the patient’s side. Whether it’s a cardiac arrest, stroke, trauma, or respiratory crisis, most life-saving interventions now begin in the field and are continued at the hospital.
Each Attleboro paramedic is trained to quickly recognize critical symptoms, initiate care plans, and implement advanced interventions. That speed and precision save lives.
The EMS Division is led by District Chief Stephen Stellakis and functions under the medical direction of Dr. Ron Van Ness-Otunnu and Dr. Laurie Thorton of Sturdy Health. This partnership ensures adherence to current clinical standards, accountability, and an unrelenting focus on patient outcomes.
What Is a Paramedic?
Paramedics represent the highest level of pre-hospital medical providers. In Massachusetts, certification requires over 1,200 hours of education, clinical rotations, and supervised field training. Paramedics must be licensed through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services and maintain National Registry certification.
Their skills include but not limited to:
- Advanced Airway Management
Endotracheal intubation, supraglottic airways, CPAP, and oxygen therapy - Cardiac Monitoring & Electrical Therapy
12-lead ECG interpretation, defibrillation, cardioversion, and external pacing - Intravenous & Intraosseous Access
Establishing IV/IO access for fluids and medications in all patient populations - Emergency Medication Administration
Over 30 medications including cardiac, respiratory, analgesic, and sedative agents - Trauma Management
Hemorrhage control, fracture stabilization, spinal immobilization, and burn care - Pediatric & Obstetric Emergencies
Emergency childbirth, neonatal care, and specialized pediatric interventions - Medical Judgment
Paramedics make complex decisions with limited information in fast-changing environments - Hospital Coordination
Real time communication with emergency departments and medical control physicians
Paramedics are not transport technicians they are field clinicians, capable of delivering complex care in uncontrolled environments. Their presence at the scene represents an important link in the modern chain of survival.
Always Improving: Training and Accountability
Every 911 call answered by Attleboro EMS undergoes a thorough quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) process. This ensures that care delivered in the field is consistently reviewed against clinical protocols and best practices. It’s not just about meeting standards; it’s about identifying opportunities to raise them.
Additionally, paramedics must complete at least 60 hours of continuing education every two years to remain certified. This includes updates in trauma care, medical advancements, pediatric training, and emerging public health trends. This commitment ensures that Attleboro’s EMS personnel remain not only ready for what’s next but ahead of it.
Looking Ahead: Peak-Time Response and Community Integration
The future of Attleboro EMS includes strategic growth designed to meet rising demands and address gaps in care.
Plans are underway to deploy a Peak-Time Impact Truck, an additional ALS unit staffed during high-volume periods. This flexible vehicle will improve response times and provide critical scene support when ambulances are tied up on other emergencies.
Looking ahead, another forward-facing initiative is the development of a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program. This community-based model will enable paramedics to conduct follow-up visits with recently discharged patients, ensuring medications are being taken properly, recovery plans are followed, and potential complications are identified early. The goal is to prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions and reduce avoidable 911 calls.
Serving Beyond the Emergency
In addition to emergency response, Attleboro EMS supports public safety through education, prevention, and community visibility. Our EMS Bike Team provides agile, ALS-capable coverage at large-scale public events, allowing paramedics to reach patients quickly in crowded or confined areas.
We also prioritize education and outreach. Each year, our paramedics teach CPR, AED use, and the Heimlich maneuver to high school freshmen. We conduct collaborative training with city lifeguards to ensure a smooth transition of care during emergencies. Attleboro EMS actively participates in community events and school visits, building trust and promoting safety throughout the city.
Attleboro EMS is more than a response system; it’s a community resource. Our team works just as hard to prevent emergencies as we do to respond to them. From helping a resident in cardiac arrest to educating families about fall prevention, our goal is to ensure that every member of our community is not only treated but protected.
A Lasting Promise
At every station, on every shift, every day, Attleboro EMS stands ready. With skill, compassion, and professionalism.
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