Firefighters hold EKG training

Members of the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department attended a training class about the proper treatment and transport of cardiac patients Monday, May 2, held by medical director Dr. Steve Newman.

The town’s firefighter paramedics are able to determine if a patient is having a heart attack using an electrocardiogram and can provide immediate treatment. Once treatment is started, and it is determined the patient is experiencing a heart attack, an alert to the local emergency department is made informing them of the patient’s condition.

Newman, who has been the town’s medical director since 1982, provides training classes throughout the year.

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi also is warning residents to call 911 instead of their physician in case of emergency.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].