Chamber Recognizes Farmington Hills EMS Coordinator

From GFA Chamber: On March 10, the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Farmington Hills Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Coordinator James Etzin with its 2017 Community Innovation and Leadership Award.

Nominated by Farmington Hills Mayor Dr. Ken Massey, EMS Coordinator Etzin was specifically recognized for the role he plays in improving cardiac arrest survival throughout the City of Farmington Hills.

One example of initiatives led by EMS Coordinator Etzin includes the Fire Department’s adoption of “High-Performance Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation” and pit crew–style tactics that enable emergency responders to care for critical patients in a more timely and efficient manner.

Other examples include coordinating the instruction of numerous CPR classes and medical drills throughout the community, helping to develop progressive procedures for dispatchers, recommending specific medical equipment, providing the majority of the department’s medical training, and working with area hospitals to perform quality assurance reviews of all Farmington Hills cardiac arrests.

Of particular note is the “Goal Line Stand” program Etzin conceptualized and implemented in 2015. Specifically, the title is a metaphor for a patient in cardiac arrest who is approaching “the end zone of life” and emergency responders and hospital caregivers collaborating to stop that from happening. When a cardiac arrest patient ultimately walks out of the hospital, each person in that patient’s “chain of survival” consequently receives a commemorative coin designed by Etzin. When applicable, recipients include bystanders, dispatchers, police officers, fire fighters, and healthcare providers within the hospital, including those in the emergency department, cardiology, and critical care. To date, over 200 coins have been presented for 24 successful resuscitations.

“The Community Innovation and Leadership Award is very fitting for the progressive programs Jim has created and led that directly benefit our community as the result of the cutting edge treatment and care delivered by our Fire Fighters,” said Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh.

EMS Coordinator Etzin was hired by the Farmington Hills Fire Department in 1994 and appointed to his current position in 2014. He has resided in the Greater Farmington community for 23 years and is a past recipient of the Fire Department’s Recruit of the Year and Career Firefighter of the Year awards. Prior to 1994, Etzin was a United States Navy corpsman serving within various United States Marine Corps units. In 1991, he participated in combat operations during Operation Desert Storm.

For more information about this story, please contact Fire Chief Jon Unruh of the Farmington Hills Fire Department at 248-871-2800.

Photo courtesy of GFA Chamber