Private Tammy Ohrt was part of a team of paramedics from the Toledo area that placed second in an international competition for paramedics in La Jolla, California. The Journal of Medical Services annual JEMS games took place on February 6-7, 2014.
Two firefighter/paramedics with Springfield Township Fire Department, Lynda Bennett and Aislinn Charlton-Dennis, along with Private Ohrt competed against a field of 19 other teams from the United States as well as London, England and Australia. This team was the first all-woman, and multi-agency team to compete at the games.
Private Ohrt said that this was the team’s second time competing at the JEMS Games. Private Ohrt has been a firefighter/paramedic with the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department since 2010. Private Ohrt said that it was a “great experience” and that the preparation as well as the competition helps “to keep you on your toes”.
The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, in concert with Lucas County, operates five Life Squads staffed by two Toledo Firefighter/Paramedics that are stationed throughout the city of Toledo and respond countywide. These five Life Squads in Toledo are in addition to five other county Life Squads located in and staffed by suburban fire departments in Lucas County.
All Toledo Firefighters are trained at a minimum to Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (E.M.T.-B), with approximately 175 Toledo Firefighters that are licensed as Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (E.M.T.-P).
Last year the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department responded to 53,765 incidents. Of those 53,765 incidents, E.M.S. incidents accounted for over 47,000.