Paramedics and firefighters in Rio Rancho can now deliver hospital-level emergency care at accident scenes, placing the department among a small fraction of ground ambulance services nationwide with such advanced capabilities.
Rio Rancho Fire Rescue has implemented three major medical advancements after years of planning and training: administering fresh frozen plasma to trauma patients, performing emergency chest decompressions and using medications to secure airways in critical cases.
The enhancements allow crews to treat severely injured patients immediately rather than waiting to reach a hospital or for air ambulance support, officials said in a press release.
“These advancements represent our continued commitment to providing the highest level of prehospital care possible,” said EMS Battalion Chief Chris Mandeville. “We take immense pride in what we do and in the positive, lasting impact we have on the patients and families we serve.”
According to the department, only 1% to 2% of ground EMS agencies nationwide carry fresh frozen plasma, despite evidence showing early administration reduces deaths within 30 days for patients with severe bleeding. Rio Rancho Fire Rescue partnered with Vitalant over four months to establish a system for safely receiving and rotating plasma supplies.
The plasma replaces vital blood components lost during major trauma, helps prevent dangerous clotting problems and improves outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries.
Paramedics also received approval to perform finger thoracostomies, a rapid procedure for chest injuries where air or blood collapses a lung. The technique, faster and more effective than the previously used needle method, exceeds New Mexico’s standard paramedic scope of practice and requires approval from the state EMS Medical Direction Committee.
About 15% of ground ambulance services have medication-facilitated airway management capabilities, which Rio Rancho Fire Rescue operationalized in July 2025 after 12 months of preparation. Specially trained paramedic supervisors use sedatives and paralytics to safely insert breathing tubes in patients who cannot protect their airways.
The department has completed nine successful cases, with several patients recovering neurologically intact despite poor initial survival odds.
Before the changes, trauma patients often required stabilization at the nearest hospital before transfer to the University of New Mexico Hospital, a Level I trauma center. Transport times to definitive care can range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on location within the city.