Fellows will function in the role of an assistant medical director with Multnomah County EMS (MCEMS), which provides prehospital medical oversight for Multnomah County, Oregon covering a population of over 800,000 people. MCEMS works collaboratively with multiple fire agencies (Portland Fire & Rescue, Gresham Fire & Emergency Services, and the Port of Portland Fire Department), a private ambulance transport service (American Medical Response), and a dispatch center. Fellows will gain valuable field experience, while also learning the nuances of working within a multidisciplinary team through administrative tasks/meetings (e.g., operations, training, quality improvement, protocol development, dispatch).

Field experience will include time with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), which is a large fire district spanning four counties and covering a population of over 500,000 people. TVF&R provides 911 first response, select scene transport, and interfacility transport. The main focus of this rotation will be to learn about the differences of suburban fire first response, medical oversight of an IFT service, and HAZMAT exposure.

Fellows will rotate through rural fire and EMS agencies situated along the Oregon Coast, where fellows will gain an in-depth understanding of the specific challenges faced by rural EMS providers. Fellows will encounter scenarios where limited resources, vast geographic distances, and unpredictable weather conditions necessitate unique approaches to prehospital emergency care.  

Exposure to air medical transport will be in conjunction with Life Flight Network. During this rotation, fellows will have the privilege of flying onboard helicopters specially equipped for emergency medical transport. Fellows will witness the essential role HEMS plays within the EMS system, flight operations and safety, and the specific challenges associated with providing medical care in the air.

Fellows will participate in the rescue training of the AMR Reach and Treat paramedics who provide ALS care in the Mt. Hood Wilderness. This unique program includes training in rock, snow, and ice rescue techniques, as well as wilderness medicine. Fellows will also participate in the training sessions of regional fire agencies for vehicle extrication and technical rescue.