University Fire Department earns Interior EMS awards
April 16, 2021
The University Fire Department was recognized this April with several annual awards for emergency medical services by the Interior Region Emergency Medical Services Council.
The department was selected for the Interior EMS Service of the Year. They achieved a cardiac arrest survival rate that is better than the National and Alaska averages. The department was also recognized for being a leader in developing COVID-19 protocols that enabled uninterrupted emergency care during the pandemic. The citation also recognized the department for training medics: "This organization's focus on looking to the future and ensuring there are quality EMTs and paramedics to meet the demand exemplifies what award is about."
Student firefighter Joseph Ferlauto was awarded the Pre-Hospital Provider of the Year for his dedication to his craft and, in particular, for successful cardiac arrest saves that he led. Captain Gregory Bean was recognized as EMS Educator of the Year for envisioning, developing, and delivering a CPR and AED training program at UAF.
The department's contract medical director, Dr. Maria Mandich from Golden Heart Emergency Physicians, was awarded Medical Director of the Year.
The fire department provides advanced life support and ambulance service to UAF and neighboring communities on a contract with the Fairbanks North Star Borough.