The Milton Fire-Rescue Department's motto is, "Dedicated to your family."  To further help live up to that motto, Milton Fire-Rescue has implemented new EMS policies to benefit the community.

In November 2021, the Department rolled out Milton Fire CARES. This paramedicine program benefits the community in numerous ways, including:

• Residential healthcare visits
• Business and community CPR instruction
• Community health education
• Flu shot and vaccine administration
• In-home safety assessments and assistance for vulnerable populations

Effective in January, the Department updated treatment for  ST Elevation Myocardial Infarctions (STEMI), a type of heart attack that is more serious and has a greater risk of serious complications and death. Milton is the only EMS service in Fulton County that administers Brilinta (a drug used to lower your chance of having, or dying from, a heart attack or stroke) and Heparin (an anticoagulant, or blood thinner, that prevents the formation of blood clots) in the pre-hospital setting when responding to “chest pain” calls. These life-saving medications reduce clotting and make the placement of stents more effective when the patient arrives at the catheterization laboratory in a hospital, increasing positive patient outcomes.

Milton Fire-Rescue recently updated cardiac arrest protocols by implementing Advanced Cardiac Resuscitation (ACR). The goal of ACR is to improve survivability for patients in cardiac arrest.

Phase 1 of this transition began in January, when all Milton fire vehicles were equipped with the AutoPulse Resuscitation System, an automated, portable, mechanical CPR device that allows firefighters and medical personnel to perform continuous high-quality CPR on scene and on-the-move.

"The Auto-Pulse is the single-most important treatment for increasing survivability for patients in cardiac arrest," said Milton Fire-Rescue Medical Services Officer Captain Mark Haskins.

Additionally, Milton Firefighters have been trained further in ACR, including video larygoscopy, or video-assisted intubation, to secure a tube directly into the airway to provide oxygen to the patient throughout treatment; and “Heads Up” CPR. It has shown that by lifting the head up 30 degrees during CPR, intra-cranial pressure is reduced and paramedics can more effectively oxygenate the brain during treatment.

"We're always looking for ways to improve our service to our citizens," said Milton Fire-Rescue Medical Services Officer Captain Mark Haskins. "Healthcare is constantly changing, so it is imperative that we keep up and implement best practices as soon as they come out. Milton has always generously supported us, so we want to do all we can to give back and give the very best to our citizens."