Chatham Emergency Services (d/b/a Mercy Ambulance) recently received an Award in Innovation in EMS from the American Ambulance Association at their Presidential Banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award was in recognition of the organization’s partnership with the U.S. Army and its Flight Medics Division.

Last year, Chatham Emergency Services signed a historic first-ever partnership agreement with the U.S. Army for Military Flight Medics (Nationally Registered Paramedics) to ride along on their civilian ambulances for training. As CES is in close proximity to local military bases, this partnership is beneficial to both CES and military participants.

The partnership allows military flight medics to hone their medical skills with non-trauma patients, assist or lead patient care under CES’ medical director protocols, and become familiar with civilian EMS. The program allows the military medics to gain experience to transition to a civilian EMS career if they ever leave the military.

In turn, the presence of military flight medics on the Chatham Ambulances allows CES to have additional caregivers on board, assistance with lifting and transferring patients, and the opportunity to have CES medics learn more about military trauma care.

“Having experienced and disciplined military flight medics ride along on our EMS units has improved our workforce morale,” says Chatham Emergency Services CEO Chuck Kearns. “The flight medics have helped teach our personnel about military trauma care and we have taught them a lot about civilian EMS. Our crews also appreciate the extra help on the scene of calls.”

The partnership has proven to be a great success for both organizations. The military medics wear their camouflage uniforms which continues to prompt interesting queries from patients and their families. Chatham Emergency Services also designed the American Flag Ambulance as part of this program. Kearns notes it is constantly being requested for public events and parades, and has played a huge, positive presence within our community.