MARION – The Marion Fire Emergency Medical Service has been approved to conduct community emergency medical service programs.

The ten programs and services identified include child passenger safety, emergency preparedness individual evaluation, fire and burn prevention and education, firearms safety, home and community falls prevention, poison control home evaluation, sharps awareness, vaccinations, water safety and well-being checks.

This approval was given by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Community EMS is a collaborative system that addresses illness or injury prevention through public health services in Massachusetts communities.

Though community outreach programs have been a regular part of the department's operations, state approval provides Marion's community EMS program, titled Marion Cares, with more resources. Marion Cares will provide community risk reduction programs to the residents of Marion.

As part of the state approval process, the department conducted a community needs assessment to understand the need for programs and services in the community.

As part of these services, EMS personnel will provide assistance and education to the community through discussions on preparation and prevention, evaluations of the environment and potential risks, and by providing recommendations to improve safety.

"We are pleased to be launching this program in Marion and believe that these services will benefit our community members and will promote health and safety in everyday life," said EMS Director Lt. Lyle McKay. "We will continuously monitor the results of the program and evaluate potential opportunities to improve current programming as well as add new programming. Community EMS is a fairly new program in Massachusetts and we are looking forward to seeing it grow."

The Community EMS program involves other local agencies as well.

Each month, members of the fire department and police department meet with the town's nurse, Council on Aging, Coastline Elderly Services and Bristol Elder Services where the group will discuss cases that members of the community could benefit from services by any of the agencies. This will be an opportunity to refer members of the community to services.

"Prevention and risk reduction education is an important part of what we do, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on our community," said Fire Chief Brian Jackvony. 

The department is planning to arrange a community meeting in the coming weeks to share the services that will soon be available as part of the program.

Additional details on the meeting will be shared with residents as they become available.

Those interested in the services or more information are encouraged to contact McKay at 508-748-3596, ext. 3212.