(MIAMI, September 19, 2013) – Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, (MDFR), was recognized for the development of a unique “Infection Control Program” on September 17, 2013, at the Board of County Commissioners. MedicAlert Foundation, the leader in emergency medical information services, and the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) presented MDFR’s Fire Chief, Dave Downey, with the Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award.

 “Our firefighters are always there to respond to fires, accidents, and medical calls. I am very proud of Chief Downey and the Fire Rescue Department”, said Commissioner Heyman.  “The nationally recognized Infection Control Program was designed to provide rapid treatment, supportive education, psychological support and continuality of medical care to emergency responders.”

Protocols developed in the program allow for rapid triage, immediate administration of post exposure countermeasures, direct access to lab results and control of source results.

“It is very prestigious for MDFR to be recognized at a national level,” said Fire Chief Downey.  “I am very proud of our accomplishments and I thank Chief John Krumenacker, EMS Division Chief, and Captain Paul Sloane, who manage the day in and day out of this much needed program in today’s environment.”

MDFR’s Infection Control Program works in cohort with the Miami-Dade Department of Risk Management to share best practices, and align and streamline employee infectious disease exposure programs with MDFR’s; significantly reducing exposure risk and safeguarding patients from risk exposure.

“The mission of the Congressional Fire Services Institute is to educate members of congress about the challenges and needs of our nation’s fire emergency service. This award was created about two years ago to highlight what is taking place across the country; we are always looking for innovations,” added Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Institute, a nonprofit policy institute in Washington, DC.

“This competition was very fierce as what we are trying to do with this award is to speed the introduction of best practices all across the country. This community should be very proud that MDFR is truly a leader in the infectious control area and is taking the steps to protect those who protect all of you every day,” said Andrew Wigglesworth, President and CEO of MedicAlert Foundation.

For more information, please contact MDFR’s Public Affairs Bureau at (786) 331-5200.

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