According to Public Education Chief and Assistant Fire Chief David Friedel, bike medics will consist of a trained paramedic and an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). The team is outfitted with mountain bikes and equipment to treat everything from minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, to cardiac arrest. They also have radios to call for back-up in more serious situations. The program, funded by MVFPD, has a start-up cost of approximately $2,000. 

"We got the idea from neighboring fire department in Berthoud. Denver General [Denver Health Service] pioneered the idea," Dave said.

"We will be at five special events this year. Each year we’ll expand. We didn’t want to overload the first year."

The bike medics on duty for Nostalgia Days were Paramedic Shad Bennet and EMT Ryan Anderson. 

Shad was born in Longmont and raised in Loveland. "I had prior service in the Navy as a firefighter. After I was honorably discharged, I received training as an EMT." He is a professional firefighter for MVFPD. "Last year Mountain View paid for my paramedic training," Shad added.

Ryan Anderson is a 1998 Niwot High School grad, who is a full time student at Red Rocks Community College. He said, "I had been to parades where there had been bike medics. I asked Josh Plane [another bike medic] if I could join." Ryan had his basic EMT training through MVFPD and plans on a career as a professional firefighter.

According to Shad, "The bike medic program is designed to augment the emergency services that we already provide as a fire protection district. The medics are especially useful at special events like Niwot Nostalgia Day where there are a lot of people or where topography makes it difficult to get an ambulance in. At special events the bikes can get there faster than an ambulance."

But be assured Shad continued, "Along with bike medics we would still send all the necessary support from the fire district."

Besides Niwot Nostalgia Days, the bike medics will be on duty at the Erie Town Fair, Fiesta Days in Dacono, Mead Days and the Eerie Erie 5K Run.

If you need more information about the Bike Medic program contact David Friedel at 303-772-0710.
 

Photo by Mary Wolbach Lopert 

Paramedic Shad Bennet and EMT Ryan Anderson stand by their mountain bikes. Don’t let the compact size of the bags fool you. Each bike has basic bandage, splinting and oxygen equipment. These medics can also perform advanced airway and IV therapy. Nineteen year veteran Chief David Friedel is the founder of the program.