Michael Grillo

• Serve as a member of a fire apparatus crew performing comprehensive firefighting operations, including suppression of vehicle, structural, and vegetation fires.
• Provide paramedic-level emergency medical care as part of an ALS team, including patient assessment, treatment, transport, and transfer of care to higher-level medical facilities.
• Ensure accurate and thorough documentation of patient care, treatments rendered, and incident response activities, while supporting station, grounds, and equipment maintenance as required.

Daily Routine/Expectations:

Shifts begin at 0800 and often extend for 72 hours. My partner and I maintain ambulance and fire suppression readiness at all times, ensuring the unit, medical equipment, and personal protective gear are prepared for immediate response. Each shift begins with a complete equipment inventory, restocking, and station checkout, followed by station cleaning to maintain operational readiness and professionalism.

Daily activities include self-paced physical fitness, assigned station duties, and ongoing training such as medical assessment scenarios, fire and medical equipment review, equipment troubleshooting, and policy and protocol updates. Throughout the shift, we respond to 911 calls, assess patients, determine appropriate treatment and transport destinations, and provide advanced life support care. Accurate and timely patient care reports are completed in compliance with SDCFA, LEMSIS, and San Diego County EMS standards, including controlled substance documentation when pain management is required.

I maintain effective verbal communication with base hospitals, MICNs, and physicians, including the recognition and reporting of cardiac arrhythmias. I demonstrate proficiency with vehicle extrication tools and rescue equipment during motor vehicle collisions, structural fires, wildland vegetation fires, and technical rescue incidents. Ongoing competency is maintained through current CAL FIRE fire suppression training, rescue scenario operations involving rope and pulley systems, and adherence to physical fitness and performance standards.

Station readiness remains a constant priority, including cleanliness, equipment functionality, and maintaining a continuous “response-ready” posture throughout the 24-hour operational period. In addition to emergency response and training, I complete assigned TargetSolutions training, fulfill state continuing education requirements for ALS providers, enroll in required fire courses, and submit all necessary training documentation. Although not required, contributing to family-style meals supports crew cohesion and overall station morale.

• Collaborated with fellow firefighters to develop effective response plans for diverse emergency scenarios.
• Reduced property damage from fires with quick assessment and implementation of appropriate suppression tactics.
• Contributed to team success by participating in ongoing training sessions and drills to improve response times and efficiency.
• Assisted in rescue operations involving hazardous materials, confined spaces, or challenging terrain conditions.
• Enhanced community safety by responding to various emergency situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous materials incidents.

• Respond to medical aids with San Diego Fire and Rescue in City of San Diego.
• Implement paramedic procedures and treatments to ill and injured persons in pre-hospital setting, as authorized and directed by medical physician and paramedic scope of practice.
• Assess and prioritize medical procedures based on nature of present illness or injury in accordance with county protocols.
• Ensure appropriate and responsible documentation of patient care report, following HIPPA guidelines.
• Participate in daily station duties including; cleaning, inventory and restock, meal preparation, training and exercise.

• Ensured accurate patient records and documentation of treatments to enable tracking history and safeguard information.
• Safely respond to medical emergencies, traffic accidents, structure fires, open space rescues and transport patients to most appropriate facility based on local county protocol.
• Maintained apparatus making note of supplies used during calls and restocked portable gear, decontaminate equipment and notify dispatch of critical restock.
• Utilize teamwork and problem solving skills to achieve desired goals for patient care.
• Assisted partner with 12 lead placement, trauma assessments, patient extrication and patient care during acute transports.

• Provide emergency medical care and transport within City of San Diego.
• Assure apparatus is maintained in state of readiness at all times, operate portable response gear, ensure on scene safety prior to patient contact.
• Respond to medical aids during beginning and throughout Covid-19 pandemic prior to appropriate CDC guidelines were established.
• Conduct cardiopulmonary resuscitation, communicate clearly and effectively with other first responders and emergency medical staff, and personnel.
• Participate in station duties including; cleaning, stocking and inventory, station maintenance, training and exercise, meal preparation and other duties as required.