Fort Fairfield, ME — August 7 — For specialized training on properly transporting patients with highly contagious infectious diseases, or HCIDs, a Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue EMS provider joined five other Aroostook County EMS providers. Patient mobility, infection control, crew safety, and coordination with receiving facilities were the main topics of the training. The objective was to equip emergency medical services personnel to safely transport patients in need of specialized care to hospitals that have the necessary resources.

The regional training, which strengthened local capacities for complex medical transportation, involved six clinicians. Additionally, the exercise strengthened protocols required when patients needed specialized treatment and enhanced infection-control measures during transport, and it promoted collaboration across Aroostook County EMS agencies.