MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The City of Merced Fire Department welcomed the introduction of life-saving Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities to Engine 53 on New Year's Day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. Fire officials say the move from Basic Life Support with EMT staffing to ALS with 24/7 paramedic staffing will allow them to perform a higher level of care in emergency situations. In fact, in their first 24 hours, they have already assisted with the transport of two patients to the hospital. They welcomed the upgrade by cutting an EKG strip, drawing on one of the many new capabilities of Engine 53. In addition to interpreting EKGS, the Merced Fire Department says the upgrade will allow their newly accredited team to administer a broad range of medications, start IVs, and perform advanced airway interventions. They are currently equipped with eight fully accredited paramedics and have four paramedics in the final stage of training and six firefighters who will begin their training this month.