Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).....
Q: Which hospitals will the rescue squad transport their patients to?
A: While the decision of appropriate hospital destination ultimately rests on the senior paramedic responding to any given call, the Lake Villa Rescue Squad transports regularly to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville; Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan; Vista West Medical Center in Waukegan; and Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry. Due to proximity to our fire protection district, we tend to transport to Condell Medical Center more than any other hospital. The deciding paramedic will consider patient condition and stability along with appropriate hospital resource availability when making his/ her decision.
Q: Will I be billed for the use of Lake Villa Rescue Squad EMS services?
A: In May 2000 the Lake Villa Fire Protection District began billing residents for emergency medical services. This follows along with the non-resident billing program which has been in effect since July 1995. The decision to bill residents was a difficult but necessary step in trying to keep up with the rising costs associated with emergency medical calls within the district. The Lake Villa Fire Protection District is one of the last in Lake County to enact a resident billing procedure. The Illinois State Laws (70ILCS/22) provides that a fire protection district may, within its jurisdiction, fix, charge, and collect fees for emergency ambulance service, not exceeding the reasonable cost of the service. The Lake Villa Rescue Squad is a private non-profit corporation under contract to provide EMS services to the Lake Villa Fire Protection District and its residents.
Q: Does the Lake Villa Rescue Squad have access to aero-medical transport options if necessary?
A: Yes. Weather permitting, Lake Villa Rescue Squad's senior paramedics may initiate aero-medical transports for their patients to aid in the delivery to an appropriate receiving facility. Flight For Life of McHenry handles the vast majority of these types of transports. Activation of a helicopter is the decision of the senior paramedic on any given call, based upon patient status and condition. Weather appropriateness will be determined by the FFL helicopter pilots. In the event of inclement weather, LVR crews will deliver their patients to the nearest appropriate facility by ground. Patients transported via helicopter are typically transferred to a Level I Trauma Center, namely Condell Medical Center in Libertyville or Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Since Condell Medical Center is primarily our district's closest transport option by ground, it may be unlikely to utilize a helicopter for transfer, as awaiting its arrival may delay crucial acute treatment time. However, it remains an option at the discretion of our shift commanders and senior paramedics.
Q: What credentials do Lake Villa Rescue Squad EMT's and Paramedics have?
A: The Lake Villa Rescue Squad employs personnel with many different backgrounds of service, education, and experience. Our current employment roster boasts an average of 6 years of service with LVR and even more in the industry. More than 80% of our staff are certified EMT-Paramedics, the highest pre-hospital certification in EMS; the remainder are Emergency Medical Technicians. Education ranges from high school education to Masters degrees. Many of our Paramedics earn advanced certifications such as ITLS (International Trauma Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), and PALS (Pediatric Life Support) and Critical Care Paramedic Certification. A commitment to continuous learning and education is strongly encouraged from within to ensure that LVR is able to provide the best patient care to its residents.
Q: Will the Lake Villa Rescue Squad honor my DNR and/or other advanced directives for myself or my loved one?
A: In accordance with applicable state laws, the Lake Villa Rescue Squad will honor a properly completed DNR form for any patient in cardiac arrest. The best advice is to seek the opinion of a personal attorney to ensure that yours or your families intentions are honored in the event of an emergency. Such a document must contain the patient's full name, intent ("Do Not Resuscitate" must appear on the document), physician's signature, and signature of the patient, that patient's legal guardian, and/or legally designated Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Agent. Laws concerning advance directives and DNR's vary from region to region as it is often difficult to interpret a patient's true intentions. LVR healthcare personnel will err toward life preservation at the discretion of their medical control (Vista Medical Center, Waukegan, IL) in events of uncertainty. LVR personnel cannot honor verbal instruction from a patient's healthcare power of attorney which is unaccompanied by a DNR nor can personnel honor individual advanced directives outside North Lake County/ Region X protocols with the exception of a properly completed DNR form. For a sample DNR form, click here:
[DNR- DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER (sample form)]
Q: Does the Lake Villa Rescue Squad offer CPR Instruction courses and certification for citizens or infant/ child car seat inspections?
A: Yes. Please contact Captain Kiki Lantz at (847) 245-8730 for information on scheduling.
Q: Are the Lake Villa Rescue Squad and the Lake Villa Fire Department separate organizations?
A: Yes. Currently both departments are run separately, each having its own administrative structure, members, and separate sets of by-laws and operating procedures. The Lake Villa Fire Protection District contracts its EMS service from the Lake Villa Rescue Squad and its fire service from the Lake Villa Fire Department. Both departments have worked well together over the past 50 years with the Lake Villa Rescue Squad providing the best in patient care and the Lake Villa Fire Department providing the best in fire service. Many members of both departments are cross-trained and certified to provide both types of care and service. Some members are currently members of both departments. Both departments maintain apparatus at all three fire stations within district.
Q: Does the Lake Villa Rescue Squad Public Safety Building have regular office hours?
A: No. Given the sporadic nature of fire and EMS, the Lake Villa Rescue Squad may require deployment of all rescue squad personnel to any rescue scene at any time. In such case, the building, itself, will be locked and un-staffed. It is for this reason that we encourage our residents to utilize the 911 emergency phone system. 911 dispatchers can always contact an ambulance crew and have them to your home in minutes. Never try to transport a patient to the Public Safety Building yourself. Utilize the 911 emergency phone system.
Q: Does the Lake Villa Rescue Squad offer station tours?
A: Yes. If interested, please contact Chief J.R. Halek or Captain Kiki Lantz to schedule a station tour. Since our crews respond to 911 calls as they occur, tours are tentative and may have to be rescheduled at the last moment. Please schedule plenty of time in advance by calling 847-245-8730.
Q: How do I become involved with the Lake Villa Rescue Squad?
A: The Chief of The Lake Villa Rescue Squad reviews staffing/ employment needs on an on-going basis. In the event personnel is needed, the Chief refers to the applications and resumes on file. In consideration, the following criteria are used in the selection process: EMS certification, EMS system affiliation, education, experience, ability to respond to multiple/ general alarms, references, state motor vehicle record, criminal background check, current/ previous department affiliation, commitment to on-going training/ continuing education, and applicable testing. Those selected will be required to complete the LVR New Employee Training Program. Successful completion of the New Employee Training Program is required to be part of the Lake Villa Rescue Squad. If you have any questions, please contact the LVR Chief Halek or Captain Kiki Lantz at 847-245-8730.