The Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department received a 98 percent satisfaction rating from patients using Emergency Medical Services in 1998, according to surveys distributed to all patients transported by department ambulances.

The surveys asked patients to rate their care in the areas of professionalism, personnel conduct, patient care, courtesy and transportation. The department received a 96 percent or higher rating of patient satisfaction in all five areas. Eighteen percent of the surveys were returned for tabulation.

Dr. Bruce Perlman of Peachtree City Internal Medicine, medical director of the Peachtree City EMS, said, "Knowing the quality of the personnel and the pride they take in their work, I would have been surprised with scores any lower than those received."

Surveys were distributed as part of the department's efforts to increase the quality of its services in 1998. Other efforts in this area included the addition of new EKG monitors for ambulances to improve monitoring of patient cardiac activity. The department also added automatic external defibrillators to all staff cars and fire trucks, allowing firefighters to assist heart attack victims if an ambulance is not yet on site.

Staffing of Paramedics also was increased last year, as was the training of personnel. All paid and volunteer firefighters in the department have a minimum National Professional Qualification certification of Firefighter One, and most volunteer firefighters are certified First Responders for emergency medical response.

One of the most widely appreciated achievements of 1998 was the department's ability to lower the city's Insurance Service Organization rating from 5 to 4, resulting in lower insurance premiums for many residents. Homeowners should contact their insurance companies to check about the possibility of lower premiums for houses in Peachtree City.